title: Head circumferences in twins with and without Autism Spectrum Disorders.
abstract: To determine the genetic relationship between head circumference (HC) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Twin pairs with at least one twin with an ASD were assessed. HCs in affected and unaffected individuals were compared, as were HC correlations in monozygotic and dizygotic pairs. 404 subjects, ages 4-18, were included. 20 % of males and 27 % of females with an ASD had macrocephaly. Unaffected co-twins showed similar rates (16 % of males and 22 % of females). Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in HCs between affected and unaffected twins. Twins with ASDs and unaffected co-twins have similar HCs and increased rates of macrocephaly. Correlations demonstrated partial inheritance of HCs. Thus, macrocephaly may represent an endophenotype in ASDs.
authors: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. wendyf@stanford.edu
authors: Wendy
authors: W
authors: Froehlich
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: Cleveland
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Torres
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Phillips
authors: Brianne
authors: B
authors: Cohen
authors: Tiffany
authors: T
authors: Torigoe
authors: Janet
authors: J
authors: Miller
authors: Angie
authors: A
authors: Fedele
authors: Jack
authors: J
authors: Collins
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Smith
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Lotspeich
authors: Lisa A
authors: LA
authors: Croen
authors: Sally
authors: S
authors: Ozonoff
authors: Clara
authors: C
authors: Lajonchere
authors: Judith K
authors: JK
authors: Grether
authors: Joachim
authors: J
authors: Hallmayer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058627:Megalencephaly / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics*