Preliminary evidence for an association between minor physical anomalies and second trimester neurodevelopment in schizophrenia

Two types of markers, dermatoglyphics and minor physical anomalies, have been used as indicators of problems with fetal neurodevelopment in schizophrenia. The degree to which these markers overlap is not known. While it is agreed that abnormal dermatoglyphics reflect early second trimester maldevelopment, the timing of the development of minor physical anomalies has not been determined. Forty-six schizophrenic patients received assessments for minor physical anomalies, dermatoglyphics (right-left ridge count asymmetry and total finger ridge count), and information processing. Higher scores for minor physical anomalies were associated with greater dermatoglyphic asymmetry. Patients who had both types of indicators (high minor physical anomalies and dermatoglyphic asymmetry) did not differ on information-processing measures from patients who had neither. On the basis of the timing of dermatoglyphic development (weeks 14-22 of gestation), the association between minor physical anomalies and dermatoglyphic asymmetry suggests that the relatively high rate of minor physical anomalies observed in schizophrenia can be considered to reflect at least second trimester maldevelopment.