Minor physical anomalies in ASD and ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/08039488.2026.2720122
- Dergi Adı: Nordic Journal of Psychiatry
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Periodicals Index Online, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: ADHD, ASD, meta-analysis, minor physical anomalies, MPA
- Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are subtle morphological variants that may reflect atypical prenatal development. Elevated MPAs have been reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but findings have been inconsistent. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and grey-literature sources for case–control studies published through December 2025 that reported total MPA scores in ASD or ADHD versus typically developing controls. Pooled effect sizes were calculated as Hedges’ g using random-effects models with restricted maximum likelihood estimation. Shared control groups were handled by sample splitting. Heterogeneity, subgroup and moderator effects, and small-study effects were examined. Results: Twelve ASD studies and eight ADHD studies met inclusion criteria. Across disorders, MPAs were significantly elevated relative to controls (pooled g = 0.72, 95% CI 0.56–0.89). Disorder-specific pooled estimates were significant for both ASD (g = 0.69) and ADHD (g = 0.77), with no significant difference between disorders (Qbet = 0.22, p = 0.64). In ASD, effects were stronger for craniofacial anomalies than for peripheral anomalies, and item-level syntheses highlighted several ear- and palate-related features. In ADHD, evidence of small-study effects suggested possible overestimation, although conclusions remained robust in sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: MPAs are reliably elevated in both ASD and ADHD. Current case–control evidence supports MPAs as a transdiagnostic marker of early developmental perturbation rather than a feature that strongly differentiates between these disorders.