Anthropometric assessment of Egyptian children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD)

Abstract

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a diverse group of complex heterogeneous neuro-developmental conditions influencing the ability to relate to and communicate, as they are characterized by a wide range of cognitive, emotional and neuro-behavioral abnormalities Aim: To study the anthropometric measurements of Egyptian children with Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), and to correlate the demographic factors with severity of the disease. Method(s): 238 children with ASD were recruited from Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Children hospital, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Children fulfilled DSM (V) criteria for ASD. After thorough clinical assessment, the following eight anthropometric measures were recorded weight, height, body mass index (BMI), head circumference (HC), mid upper arm circumference, sub scapular skin fold thickness (SSF) and sub iliac skin fold thickness (SIS) and compared to the Egyptian national percentiles. Patients were further evaluated by CARS and Gilliam rating scale Results: The Z-score for weight, BMI, SSF and SIS were significantly higher in autistic children as compared t norms (P<0.0001)While, the head circumferencewas significantly lower (P<0.0001). The Results were not significantly associated with the age, sex or the age of presentation of the disease. However, these parameters were significantly associated with the severity of the disease. There was significant negative correlation between CARS and Z Head circumference and significant positive correlation between CARS and Z BMI. Also, significant negative correlation between the Gilliam score and Z Head circumference and positive correlation between Gillian and Z BMI. Conclusion(s): There is a growth aberration in our sample of Egyptian children with ASD. Especially, a growing rate of obesity that warrant a nutritional program to be a part of the routine care of our ASD children.