Minor physical anomalies in alcoholic and schizophrenic adults and hyperactive and autistic children.

Minor physical anomalies occur with increased frequency in retarded, hyperactive, and autistic children, which suggests the effects of genetic influences or a toxic early uterine environment. The author's findings concur with previously published reports concerning hyperactive and autistic children. Extending these studies to adult patients, they found an increased incidence of minor physical anomalies in schizophrenic adults. Alcoholic adults did not have a greater number of anomalies than normal adults, but the distribution among alcoholics appeared to be bimodal, suggesting heterogeneity within this group.