A study of Neurological Soft Signs and Minor Physical Anomalies in children of parents with Schizophrenia and those without Schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction: 'Neurological soft signs (NSS)' and 'Minor physical anomalies (MPA)' represent two quite distinct markers of risk for schizophrenia that stem from genetic factors and have been studied over the past 3 decades. The aim of the current study was to assess Neurological soft signs (NSS) and Minor physical anomalies (MPA) in children of patients suffering from schizophrenia and compare the same to children having parents without any psychiatric disorders. Methodology: The study was a cross sectional study at a Private tertiary care psychiatric hospital in urban set up. The data was collected over a period of 1 year during June 2016-June 2017. The subjects of this study were children of parents suffering from schizophrenia and children of parents without any psychiatric disorder. The control group was made up of 40 children of the same age group with parents having no psychiatric disorders. Following the collection of sociodemographic details using a semistructured proforma, children in both groups were assessed using the Physical and Neurological Soft sign Scale (PANESS) while MPAs were assessed using the Waldrop scale. The data collected was statistically analyzed.Results: There was no statistically significant correlation between demographic factors like gender, age, birth order, educational status or type of delivery with neurological soft signs and minor physical anomalies. It was found that the study group had higher score for incoordination of gait and balance; higher score for slowness in performing patterned speed of movements which included toe heel alteration, hand supination and pronation, finger succession as compared to control group along with higher scores for involuntary movements, excess dysrhythmia score and overflow score including mirror movements in index group than controls. There was no statistically significant difference in lateral preference patterns or mix handedness of cases and controls. Among Minor physical anomalies, the study group also had more anomalies in mouth like high-steeped palate and tongue anomaly, curved 5 th finger of hands and big gap between first and second toe (sandal gap). Conclusion: NSS and MPA are important variables and biomarkers that may be assessed in patients with schizophrenia and their offspirngs.