What has feet to do with it? Pes planus and medial arch height in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder.

• Individuals with autism have higher rates of minor physical anomalies (MPAs) than neurotypical persons. Minor physical anomalies are slight morphological deviations typically harmless and without cosmetic or medical importance to the individual but indicative of an underlying neurodevelopmental disorder. In genetic autism research the utilization of MPAs has been recommended. In the present study the prevalence of pes planus or flatfoot in adults with ASD compared to age and sex matched neurotypical adults was investigated with two different methods. A photograph of the feet was obtained from underneath while the subjects were standing on a glass table. From this imprint calculations were made. In addition the medial longitudinal foot arch was measured with a Verniper caliper. The ultimate purpose of this study was to evaluate if flatfoot deformity could be utilized as an MPA in ASD. In this cohort of nearly one hundred adults no one fulfilled the predefined criteria of a flatfoot diagnosis but a lower foot arch height was shown in individuals with ASD compared to controls, confirming the clinical impression.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Autism spectrum disorder

minor physical anomaly

adult

flatfoot

pes planus

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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