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- Title
2D:4D Ratio and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Brunei Darussalam.
- Authors
Lee, Shirley H. F.; Aziz, Syahiirah Abd; Hamid, Mawarni; Lim, Ya Chee; Koh, David; Chaw, Li Ling
- Abstract
Background: Despite the global increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), relevant research studies are lacking in Brunei Darussalam. Various studies have shown a significant association between a lowered 2D:4D ratio (ratio of second digit/index finger to the fourth digit/ring finger) and ASD, making it one of the potential phenotypic biomarkers for early detection of autism, which is important for early intervention and management. Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the association between 2D:4D ratio and ASD in Brunei Darussalam, as a potential tool to complement early ASD diagnosis. Methods: We conducted a case–control study comprising 28 ASD and 62 typically developing (TD) children in the case and control group, respectively (age range: 3–11 years old; median age: 6 years old). Median 2D:4D ratios were measured, compared and analysed between the two groups. Logistic regression models were used to explore potential associations between the median 2D:4D ratio and ASD in respective gender, for both left and right hands, independently. Results: Our study shows that the median 2D:4D ratio of left hand in ASD males is significantly lower than those in TD males, after adjusting for ethnicity and age [Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.57 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.31–0.96); p = 0.044]. For females, there is no association of ASD with the median left hand 2D:4D ratio [OR = 3.09 (95% CI: 0.98–19.86); p = 0.144] or the median right hand 2D:4D ratio [OR = 1.23 (95% CI: 0.42–3.88); p = 0.702]. Our study also shows a significant positive correlation and/or a reduced asymmetry between the average 2D:4D ratio of left hands and right hands in ASD males (Pearson's correlation (r) = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.076–0.75, p = 0.023). Conclusions: There is significant association between a lowered median 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (in males only) and ASD diagnosis. Once validated in a larger sample size, a lowered median 2D:4D ratio on the left hand may be a potential tool to complement ASD diagnosis for males in our study population. There is no association between the median 2D:4D ratio (left or right hands) and ASD in females, which could be due to the small female sample size and/or the possibility of different aetiology for ASD in females. Reduced asymmetry between the average 2D:4D ratio of left and right hands observed in ASD males only (not in ASD females) also suggests the importance of considering gender-specific biomarkers for ASD diagnosis.
- Subjects
BRUNEI; DIAGNOSIS of autism; BIOMARKERS; FINGERS; CONFIDENCE intervals; CHILD development; ANTHROPOMETRY; TESTOSTERONE; CASE-control method; SEX distribution; AUTISM; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; STATISTICAL correlation; LOGISTIC regression analysis; ODDS ratio; EARLY diagnosis; PHENOTYPES
- Publication
Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 2021, Vol 51, Issue 12, p4577
- ISSN
0162-3257
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10803-021-04899-9