Ridge hypoplasia and ridge dissociation: minor physical anomalies in autistic children

It has been suggested that autism may arise as the result of exposure to high concentrations of prenatal testosterone. There is evidence that the ratio of the lengths of the 2nd and 4th digit (2D:4D) may be negatively correlated with prenatal testosterone. We measured 2D:4D in 95 families recruited via the National Autistic Society, UK. The sample comprised a total 72 children with autism (62 males, 10 females; age range 2 to 14 years), including 23 children (20 males, three females) with Asperger syndrome (AS), 34 siblings, 88 fathers, 88 mothers and sex- and age-matched control participants. We found that the 2D:4D ratios of children with autism, their siblings, fathers and mothers were lower than population normative values. Children with AS, who share the social and communicative symptoms of autism but have normal or even high IQ, had higher 2D:4D ratios than children with autism but lower ratios than population normative values. There were positive associations between 2D:4D ratios of children with autism and the ratios of their relatives. Children with autism had lower than expected 2D:4D ratios and children with AS higher ratios than expected in relation to their fathers' 2D:4D ratio. It was concluded that 2D:4D ratio may be a possible marker for autism which could implicate prenatal testosterone in its aetiology.

show abstract

The 2nd to 4th digit ratio and autism

Manning¹,

Baron‐Cohen²,

Wheelwright³

et al. 2001

Dev Med Child Neurol

246

190

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Untitled

et al. 2002

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Numerous studies have shown there is consistent evidence implicating genetic factors in the etiology of autism. In some cases chromosomal abnormalities have been identified. One type of these abnormalities is gaps and breaks nonrandomly located in chromosomes, denominated fragile sites (FS). We cytogenetically analyzed a group of autistic individuals and a normal population, and we examined the FS found in both samples with the aim of (1) comparing their FS expression, (2) ascertaining whether any FS could be associated with our autistic sample, and (3) examining if there are differences between individual and pooled-data analyses. Different statistical methods were used to analyse the FS of pooled and individual data. Our results show that there are statistically significant differences in the spontaneous expression of breakages between patients and controls, with a minimal sex difference. Using the method for pooled data, eight autosomal FS have preferential expression in patients and five patients were found to be positive at FS Xq27.3. With the method per-individual analysis, four FS emerged as specific in our autistic sample. Inferences of FS from pooled data were different from those of individual data. The findings suggest that although analysis of pooled data is necessitated by the problem of sparse data, analysis of single individuals is essential to know the significance of FS in autism.

show abstract

The 2nd to 4th digit ratio and autism

Manning

Baron‐Cohen

Wheelwright

et al. 2001

Develop Med Child Neuro

287

105

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

It has been suggested that autism may arise as the result of exposure to high concentrations of prenatal testosterone. There is evidence that the ratio of the lengths of the 2nd and 4th digit (2D:4D) may be negatively correlated with prenatal testosterone. We measured 2D:4D in 95 families recruited via the National Autistic Society, UK. The sample comprised a total 72 children with autism (62 males, 10 females; age range 2 to 14 years), including 23 children (20 males, three females) with Asperger syndrome(AS), 34 siblings, 88 fathers, 88 mothers and sex-and age-matched control participants. We found that the 2D:4D ratios of children with autism, their siblings, fathers and mothers were lower than population normative values. Children with AS, who share the social and communicative symptoms of autism but have normal or even high IQ, had higher 2D:4D ratios than children with autism but lower ratios than population normative values. There were positive associations between 2D:4D ratios of children with autism and the ratios of their relatives. Children with autism had lower than expected 2D:4D ratios and children with AS higher ratios than expected in relation to their fathers' 2D:4D ratio. It was concluded that 2D:4D ratio may be a possible marker for autism which could implicate prenatal testosterone in its aetiology.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

hi@scite.ai

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Ridge hypoplasia and ridge dissociation: minor physical anomalies in autistic children

Abstract: Clin Genet 1993: 44: 107–108. © Munksgaard, 1993

Cited by 3 publications

References 8 publications

The 2nd to 4th digit ratio and autism

The 2nd to 4th digit ratio and autism

Untitled

The 2nd to 4th digit ratio and autism

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About