Minor Physical Anomalies in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Healthy Controls
Table 2
Comparison of MPA rates between the ASD and neurotypical control groups.
Minor Physical Anomalies
Score
MM/PV
ASD (%)
NC (%)
(df)
value
Head
Head circumference
PV
1.5–2 SD
1
23 (46)
27 (50.9)
>2 SD
2
8 (16)
2 (3.8)
Fine electric hair
MM
6.6 (2)
0.037*
Hair soon awry
1
12 (24)
4 (7.5)
Hair unmanageable
2
1 (2)
—
Eyes
Epicanthus (the point of union where upper and lower lids join the nose)
PV
Partly covered
1
8 (16)
7 (13.2)
Deeply covered
2
1 (2)
2 (3.8)
Intercanthal distance/hypertelorism (approximate distance between tear ducts)
PV
Moderate
1
22 (44)
19 (35.8)
Extensive
2
1 (2)
1 (1.9)
Ears
Seating ears—bottom of ears in line with
PV
Area between mouth and nose
1
8 (16)
9 (17)
Mouth (or lower)
2
—
—
Adherent ear lobes
MM
Lower edges of ears extend
Moderate/Straight back toward rear of neck
1
16 (32)
14 (26.4)
Extensive/Upward and back toward crown of head
2
18 (36)
14 (26.4)
Asymmetrical ears
1
PV
10 (20)
3 (5.7)
Malformed ears
1
MM
5 (10)
4 (7.5)
Mouth
High/steepled palate
PV
Roof of mouth:
Flat and narrow at the top
1
12 (24)
13 (24.5)
Definitely steepled
2
—
3 (5.7)
Furrowed tongue (one with deep ridges)
1
MM
7 (14)
4 (7.5)
Hands
Curved fifth finger:
MM
5.5 (1)
0.019a
Moderately curved
1
2 (4)
10 (18.9)
Extensively curved
2
—
—
Single transverse palmar crease
1
MM
7 (14)
—
78.0 (1)
0.005*
Fifth-finger stubbing
1
MM
1 (2)
Feet
Third toe:
Equal in length to second
1
PV
2 (4)
—
Definitely longer than second
2
—
—
Partial syndactylia of second and third toes
1
MM
—
3 (5.7)
Big gap between first and second toes
1
PV
36 (72)
40 (75.5)
ASD: autism spectrum disorder; NC: neurotypical controls; MM: minor malformation; PV: phenogenetic variants; aHigher scores in controls; level of significance . Items are assessed according to descriptive anchor points (scored 0-1 or 0–2) depending on severity and “0” is defined as “no deviation”.
