Table 5.

Physical examination for malnutrition in children with autism and typically developing children (n 53)

	Autistic group		Typically developing group
Symptoms	n	%*	n	%	P*
Pale conjunctiva	1	1·9	0	0·0	1·000
Scare, dry and brittle hair	6	11·3	4	7·5	0·506
Dry skin	3	5·7	2	3·8	0·647
Cheilitis	1	1·9	0	0·0	1·000
Non-smooth nails	0	0·0	1	1·9	1·000
Rib eversion†	3	5·7	2	3·8	0·647

* Fisher's exact test.

† Rib eversion: the bottom two ribs are prominent over the periphery of bony thorax.