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Minor physical anomalies in children with autism spectrum disorder

Gabriele Tripi1, Sylvie Roux, Tatiana Canziani

  • 1Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, Aiuto Materno Hospital, University of Palermo, Via Lancia di Brolo 10, Palermo, Italy. gabrieletripi@hotmail.com

Early Human Development
|June 15, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show higher rates of minor physical anomalies (MPAs), particularly after the first trimester. These findings support a prenatal origin for ASD.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Developmental biology
  • Pediatric medicine

Background:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
  • The etiology of ASD is multifactorial, involving genetic and environmental influences.
  • Prenatal errors of morphogenesis, known as minor physical anomalies (MPAs), may offer insights into early developmental disruptions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and patterns of MPAs in children with ASD.
  • To establish a temporal framework for embryological factors contributing to ASD etiology.
  • To differentiate ASD from typical development based on MPA profiles.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a modified Waldrop scale combined with computerized photogrammetry and anthroposcopy.
  • Assessed 41 specific MPAs in 24 children diagnosed with ASD and 24 healthy controls.
  • Participants were children with a mean age of 7 years, with ASD diagnosis confirmed by DSM IV and CARS criteria.

Main Results:

  • Children with ASD exhibited significantly higher rates of MPAs across head, ear, mouth, and hand regions (96% of ASD group).
  • Abnormal head circumference, abnormal cephalic index, and abnormal palate were the most discriminative MPAs between ASD and control groups.
  • The majority of observed MPAs likely occurred after the first trimester of gestation.

Conclusions:

  • The findings support a prenatal neurodevelopmental model for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  • MPAs can serve as potential early indicators of neurodevelopmental alterations.
  • Understanding the timing of MPA development can refine hypotheses about ASD's embryological origins.
Abstract

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