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Head circumference and height in autism: A study by the collaborative program of excellence in autism
Author(s) -
Lainhart Janet E.,
Bigler Erin D.,
Bocian Maureen,
Coon Hilary,
Dinh Elena,
Dawson Geraldine,
Deutsch Curtis K.,
Dunn Michelle,
Estes Annette,
TagerFlusberg Helen,
Folstein Susan,
Hepburn Susan,
Hyman Susan,
McMahon William,
Minshew Nancy,
Munson Jeff,
Osann Kathy,
Ozonoff Sally,
Rodier Patricia,
Rogers Sally,
Sigman Marian,
Spence M. Anne,
Stodgell Christopher J.,
Volkmar Fred
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.064
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1552-4833
pISSN - 1552-4825
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.a.31465
Subject(s) - macrocephaly , autism , head circumference , autism spectrum disorder , medicine , circumference , pediatrics , psychology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , birth weight , biology , pregnancy , genetics , geometry , mathematics
Data from 10 sites of the NICHD/NIDCD Collaborative Programs of Excellence in Autism were combined to study the distribution of head circumference and relationship to demographic and clinical variables. Three hundred thirty‐eight probands with autism‐spectrum disorder (ASD) including 208 probands with autism were studied along with 147 parents, 149 siblings, and typically developing controls. ASDs were diagnosed, and head circumference and clinical variables measured in a standardized manner across all sites. All subjects with autism met ADI‐R, ADOS‐G, DSM‐IV, and ICD‐10 criteria. The results show the distribution of standardized head circumference in autism is normal in shape, and the mean, variance, and rate of macrocephaly but not microcephaly are increased. Head circumference tends to be large relative to height in autism. No site, gender, age, SES, verbal, or non‐verbal IQ effects were present in the autism sample. In addition to autism itself, standardized height and average parental head circumference were the most important factors predicting head circumference in individuals with autism. Mean standardized head circumference and rates of macrocephaly were similar in probands with autism and their parents. Increased head circumference was associated with a higher (more severe) ADI‐R social algorithm score. Macrocephaly is associated with delayed onset of language. Although mean head circumference and rates of macrocephaly are increased in autism, a high degree of variability is present, underscoring the complex clinical heterogeneity of the disorder. The wide distribution of head circumference in autism has major implications for genetic, neuroimaging, and other neurobiological research. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.