Is There Any Possible Relationship Between Antenatal Hydronephrosis and Prenatal Androgen Exposure? An Analysis Using the 2D:4D Digit Ratio

IF 1.7 4区医学 Q1 ANTHROPOLOGY

American Journal of Human Biology Pub Date : 2025-08-05 DOI:10.1002/ajhb.70114

Sinan Kılıç, Çiğdem Kılıç

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

The ratio of the index finger to the ring finger length (2D:4D) differs between sexes; it is typically higher in females than in males. This difference is thought to be related to intrauterine androgen exposure. Antenatal hydronephrosis is the most frequently detected anomaly during prenatal ultrasonographic evaluation of fetal development. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio in newborns and the presence of congenital hydronephrosis.

Methods

Between July 2023 and April 2024, the lengths of the second and fourth digits and medical birth records of newborns were documented. Infants who were followed antenatally for hydronephrosis and exhibited persistent findings on postnatal renal ultrasonography were included in the study group. The control group consisted of newborns without any antenatal or postnatal renal abnormalities.

Results

A total of 82 newborns were included in the analysis. Among them, 50 had no antenatal or postnatal renal anomalies and comprised the control group. In 32 newborns, both antenatal and postnatal hydronephrosis were diagnosed. The 2D:4D was significantly higher in the hydronephrosis group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between right and left hand 2D:4D measurements within either group (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The observation of significantly higher 2D:4D ratios in newborns with antenatal hydronephrosis may suggest a possible association with decreased prenatal androgen exposure. While the 2D:4D ratio is generally expected to be higher in females and lower in males, the finding of higher ratios in newborns with hydronephrosis may indicate a reduced androgen effect during fetal development in these cases. Although this finding is consistent with the fact that hydronephrosis is more frequently observed in male fetuses, it should be interpreted with caution and supported by further studies.

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产前肾积水与产前雄激素暴露有关系吗？使用2D:4D数字比的分析

目的两性食指与无名指长度之比（2D:4D）存在差异；通常情况下，女性的这一比例高于男性。这种差异被认为与宫内雄激素暴露有关。产前肾积水是胎儿发育超声检查中最常见的异常。本研究旨在探讨新生儿2D:4D比值与先天性肾积水的关系。方法对2023年7月~ 2024年4月出生的新生儿进行二、四指长度和出生病历的记录。在产前进行肾积水随访并在产后肾超声检查中表现出持续表现的婴儿被纳入研究组。对照组为未出现任何产前或产后肾脏异常的新生儿。结果共纳入82例新生儿。其中50例无产前或产后肾异常，作为对照组。在32例新生儿中，诊断为产前和产后肾积水。肾积水组的2D:4D明显高于对照组（p < 0.001）。两组的右手和左手2D:4D测量结果均无显著差异（p > 0.05）。结论产前肾积水新生儿2D:4D比值明显增高，可能与产前雄激素暴露减少有关。一般认为，2D:4D比值在女性中较高，而在男性中较低，但在新生儿肾积水中发现较高的比值可能表明，在这些情况下，胎儿发育过程中雄激素作用降低。尽管这一发现与在男性胎儿中更常观察到肾积水的事实相一致，但应谨慎解释，并得到进一步研究的支持。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

American Journal of Human Biology 生物-生物学

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

13.80%

发文量

124

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： The American Journal of Human Biology is the Official Journal of the Human Biology Association. The American Journal of Human Biology is a bimonthly, peer-reviewed, internationally circulated journal that publishes reports of original research, theoretical articles and timely reviews, and brief communications in the interdisciplinary field of human biology. As the official journal of the Human Biology Association, the Journal also publishes abstracts of research presented at its annual scientific meeting and book reviews relevant to the field. The Journal seeks scholarly manuscripts that address all aspects of human biology, health, and disease, particularly those that stress comparative, developmental, ecological, or evolutionary perspectives. The transdisciplinary areas covered in the Journal include, but are not limited to, epidemiology, genetic variation, population biology and demography, physiology, anatomy, nutrition, growth and aging, physical performance, physical activity and fitness, ecology, and evolution, along with their interactions. The Journal publishes basic, applied, and methodologically oriented research from all areas, including measurement, analytical techniques and strategies, and computer applications in human biology. Like many other biologically oriented disciplines, the field of human biology has undergone considerable growth and diversification in recent years, and the expansion of the aims and scope of the Journal is a reflection of this growth and membership diversification. The Journal is committed to prompt review, and priority publication is given to manuscripts with novel or timely findings, and to manuscripts of unusual interest.