| Abstract |
Background: Minor Physical Anomalies have been associated with psychiatric and neurobehavioral studies. Aim: The overall aim of the study was to asses the relationship between Minor Physical Anomalies (M.P.A.) and educational problems. I specifically assessed in a pilot study whether clinical records on M.P.A. can be used in a wider epidemiological study. Methods: 272 records of children evaluated at the Dyslexia Unit at the University Hospital of Heraclion the years 1992- 1995 were identified and reviewed. Following specific inclusion criteria 60 subjects were selected for this study. A telephone survey was conducted in 2004 to check the education years/ level that those students had completed as well as their profession nowadays and collect information on potential confounders (age, socioeconomic position, residence). 39 subjects were interviewed. The results were tested with parametric and non- parametric tests. Results: A higher percentage of individuals with a high number of Minor Physical Anomalies (65%) had missed a school class compared to subjects with less than 4 M.P.A. (35%) but results were not statistical significant (Fishers exact test=0.26). Multivariate analyses adjusting for age, social class and region confirmed this tendency. The most frequent Minor Physical Anomalies in the group of students who missed a class were: hair whorls (70%), epicanthus (70%), and immature hand (70%). In the group of children who didnt miss school years the most frequent M.P.A. were: hair whorls (71%), immature hand (39%) and acanthi in the ear (35.7%). Conclusions: Minor Physical Anomalies in this pilot study appear to signal stressors relevant to educational problems. The role of the Minor Physical Anomalies in dyslexic students should be further investigate and might discriminate high risk individuals to develop a developmental disease as well as dyslexia.
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Ελάχιστες φυσικές ανωμαλίες και μαθησιακές δυσκολίες : μια πιλοτική μελέτη
