Minor physical anomalies across ethnic groups in a first episode psychosis sample

Minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are more prevalent amongst individuals with psychosis, supporting a neurodevelopmental model for psychotic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility that neurodevelopmental adversity contributes to the excess of psychosis found in some ethnic groups in the UK. Subjects with first onset psychosis and healthy neighbourhood controls were enrolled in the ÆSOP study in South East London and Nottingham between 1997 and 1999. MPA rates were estimated in four broad ethnic groupings (White, African Caribbean, Black African and Other). Patients (n = 245) had a higher mean total MPA score than healthy controls (n = 158). This held true across each of the four ethnic groupings. The results of this study suggest that neurodevelopmental factors play a role in the aetiology of psychosis across all ethnic groups.