Unlocking the Code: Exploring Autism Spectrum Traits among Medical Students through the Lens of Blood Group Phenotypes

Abstract

Objective: To assess autistic spectrum disorder traits (based on language, social relatedness, sensory-motor discrepancies, and circumscribed interests) prevalence among undergraduates, explore associations with sociodemographic factors and blood group phenotypes, and investigate correlations with anthropometric measures. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Physiology Department, CMH Kharian Medical College Kharian, Pakistan from January 2024 to April 2024. Methods: A total of 527 undergraduate students were included in the study. Sociodemographic data, blood group phenotypes (ABO and Rh), and anthropometric measures were collected. Autism spectrum disorder traits were assessed using the Rapid Autism Diagnostic Screening (RAADS-14) scale. Results: Females exhibited higher autism spectrum disorder trait prevalence (35.9%) than males (15.4%). A positive correlation was found between height-to-waist ratio and autistic spectrum disorder traits (r = 0.103). No significant associations were observed between autism spectrum disorder traits and area of residence, blood group phenotypes, or body mass index categories. Conclusion: Gender and height-to-waist ratio showed significant associations with autism spectrum disorder traits, no significant links were found with blood group phenotypes.

Keywords

• anthropometry, autism spectrum disorder, body mass index, students