The second to fourth digit ratio (2D: 4D) in Saudi boys with autism: A potential screening tool.
Author: Al-Zaid, F. S., Alhader, A. A., & Al-Ayadhi, L. Y.
Source:
Early Human Development, 91(7), 413-415.
Background: Autism is a neurodevelopment disorder with a strikingly higher prevalence in boys than girls. There
are many theories regarding this gender bias, and prenatal exposure to high levels of fetal testosterone (FT) may
be a predisposing factor. The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is the only indirect measure that reflects this
association postnatally. Thus, this study measured the lengths of the index finger (2D) and the ring finger (4D)
and calculated the 2D:4D ratio. Subsequently, this ratio was used to indirectly determine the potential prenatal
exposure to high levels of FT in autistic children.
Methods: This case–control study was conducted with 60 male children with 31 individuals having classic-onset
autism and 29 individuals serving as age-matched, healthy controls. The lengths of both the index (2D) and the
ring (4D) fingers of the right hand of both autism and control groups were obtained using a scanner and the
2D:4D ratio was calculated.
Results: The 2D:4D ratio in the current study was significantly lower in boys with autism compared to the controls
(p ≤ 0.001).
Conclusions: This study demonstrates a significantly lower 2D:4D ratio in Saudi boys with autism, which indirectly
suggests that these boys were exposed to high levels of prenatal FT. Accordingly, prenatal exposure to high levels
of FT is a risk factor for the development of autism, and the postnatal measurement of the 2D:4D ratio could be a
potential screening tool.