ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETER COMPARISON BETWEEN AUTISTIC AND NORMAL HEALTHY CHILDREN

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the differences in anthropometric measures between autistic and healthy children. The differences in anthropometric measures between autistic males and females were also assessed and compare.

 Method: Purposive/deliberate or snowball sampling method was used due to limited availability of autism centers and obtain-ability of the consent of caregivers, parent and directors of these centers. This study was carried out in autism centers, primary and secondary schools across Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria with a total number of 100 subjects (children and adolescents); 50 normal healthy subjects (comprised of 37 males and 13 females) and 50 subjects with autism (comprised of 37 males and 13 females) within the ages of 5 to 18 years. The measured parameters include; height, weight, body mass index (BMI), craniofacial circumference (CFC) and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC). The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent sample T-test with p-value at 0.05.

 Result: A statistical difference in BMI and MUAC between normal and autistic female children was obtained (t-value = -4.390 and -9.875 and at p-value =0.012 and 0.001 respectively), no statistical difference in CFC between normal and autistic female children with a t-value of 0.544 at a p-value of 0.615. Also, there was a statistical difference in BMI and MUAC between normal and autistic female adolescents (t-value = 3.361 and -2.965 and at p-value =0.003 and 0.008 respectively). There were significant differences in both parameters at p<0.05 significance level whilst there was no significant differences in the craniofacial circumference (CFC). This is the same for the female adolescents with autism. In comparison of mean differences in body mass index (BMI), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and craniofacial circumference (CFC) of male and female children with autism, there was a significant difference in MUAC between male and female children with autism with a t-value of -2.597 at p-values of 0.02 respectively and for male and female adolescents with autism, there was a significant difference in BMI between male and female children with autism with a t-value of -2.136 at p-values of 0.041 respectively.

Conclusion: The increase in fat component which is more predominant in females is a factor responsible for the increase in MUAC and BMI in the study, due to increased carbohydrate and fat intake as well as sedentary life style. The crainofacial circumference and its variance significantly increased especially in male adolescents, suggesting the relative overgrowth of the brain in a substantial percentage of adolescents in Port Harcourt with autism.