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Macrocephaly in children with autism spectrum disorders
Lucy Barnard-Brak1, Tracey Sulak, Julie K Ivey Hatz
1Department of Educational Psychology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, USA. lucy_barnard-brak@baylor.edu
Pediatric Neurology
|January 11, 2011
Summary
This study found no significant differences in head size between children with autism spectrum disorder and their peers. Findings are based on a large, nationally representative sample, offering broad generalizability for autism research.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Pediatric health
- Autism spectrum disorder research
Background:
- Previous studies suggested macrocephaly in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but used small, non-representative samples.
- Limited generalizability of prior findings due to clinic-based, non-national cohorts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate head circumference differences in a nationally representative sample of children with and without ASD.
- To provide generalizable data on head size in autism spectrum disorder.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Birth Cohort, a nationally representative, community-based sample.
- Compared head circumferences of children with and without autism spectrum disorder across three time points.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in head circumference were observed between children with and without autism spectrum disorder.
- Results were consistent across all three measured time points.
Conclusions:
- The study's findings from a large, representative sample suggest that macrocephaly may not be a universal characteristic of autism spectrum disorder.
- These results enhance the understanding of physical characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorder in a general population.
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