Abstract
AIM:To investigate the rate and topological profile of minor physical anomalies (MPAs) (prenatal errors of morphogenesis) in a group of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in order to better set a temporal framing of embryological factors involved in the neurodevelopmental etiology.METHOD:A new modified Waldrop scale and a mixed approach of computerized photogrammetry and classic anthroposcopy was used to detect the presence or absence of 41 MPAs in 24 children (mean age: 7 years; sex ratio: 22M:2F) with ASD and 24 healthy comparison subjects (mean age: 7 years; sex ratio: 19M:5F) selected with DSM IV and CARS.RESULTS:We found that children with ASD presenting MPAs (n=23; 96%) had significantly higher rates of MPAs in four body areas (head, ears, mouth, hands); interestingly three of 41 MPAs best discriminated ASD groups from comparison subjects: abnormal head circumference, abnormal cephalic index, abnormal palate. Moreover, our results suggest that most MPAs occur predominantly after the first trimester of pregnancy.CONCLUSIONS:These results support a prenatal neurodevelopmental model of the autism spectrum disorder
Lingua originale | English |
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pagine (da-a) | 217-223 |
Numero di pagine | 6 |
Rivista | EARLY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT |
Volume | 84 |
Stato di pubblicazione | Published - 2008 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology