An Exploration of Physical and Phenotypic Characteristics of Bangladeshi Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Abstract: This study explored the physical and clinical phenotype of Bangladeshi children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A totally of 283 children who were referred for screening and administered Module 1 of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) were included. Overall, 209 met the ADOS algorithmic cutof for ASD. A trend for greater weight and head circumference was observed in children with ASD versus non-ASD. Head circumference was signifcantly (p<0.03) larger in ASD males compared with non-ASD males. A trend was also observed for symptom severity, higher in females than males (p=0.068), with further analyses demonstrating that social reciprocity (p<0.014) and functional play (p<0.03) were signifcantly more impaired in ASD females than males. The fndings help understand sex diferences in ASD.