Minor Physical Anomalies and Plasma Dopamine-Beta-Hydroxylase Activity in Hyperactive Boys

In a group of 76 hyperactive boys, the presence of multiple minor physical anomalies (stigmata) was associated with severity of hyperactivity and with a history of childhood hyperactivity in the father or a history of early obstetrical difficulty in the mother. In addition, children with high stigmata scores had higher than normal mean plasma dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH) activity. DβH was not related to behavioral activity ratings but specifically to stigmata score. Both imipramine and methylphenidate significantly increased plasma DβH activity; however, clinical improvement did not parallel this change. The authors suggest that these children are an important subgroup within the behaviorally defined, heterogeneous population of hyperactive children.