AbstractBackground: Minor physical anomalies are considered as neurodevelopmental abnormalities. The frequency of minor physical anomalies was considerably higher in patients with schizophrenia as compared to healthy controls. Aims: To compare the frequency of minor physical anomaliess in late onset schizophrenia and healthy control group. Methodology: This study was Hospital based cross sectional comparative study by purposive sampling method which included 41 patients with late onset schizophrenia and 41 healthy controls assessed on Waldrop’s Minor physical anomalies scale. Results: 63.4% (26) of the cases with late onset schizophrenia had one or the other minor physical anomalies and adherent ear lobe was the most common MPA which is statistically significant as compared to healthy controls. Conclusions: Presence of more minor physical anomalies in late onset schizophrenia indicates the possible neurodevelopmental etiology similar to early onset schizophrenia.
Keywords: Minor physical anomalies; Schizophrenia