Abstract
Autism is more prevalent in males than in females. Hypotheses related to the extreme male brain theory of autism suggest that heightened androgen exposure during early development contributes to autistic traits. Whilst prior research focused mostly on the prenatal period, the current study tests the influences of androgen exposure during both the prenatal and the early postnatal periods on autistic traits during childhood. Anthropometric measures that are putative biomarkers of early androgen exposure were employed. Anogenital distance (AGD) was measured at birth and 3months of age in boys and girls. Penile length at birth and 3months of age was also measured in boys. When the children were 9-13years old, a parent-reported questionnaire (the 10-item children's version of the Autism Spectrum Quotient; AQ-10 Child) was used to assess autistic traits in 97 boys and 110 girls. There were no significant associations between any of the AGD or penile length measures and scores on the AQ-10 Child in boys, girls or the entire sample. The current study provides the first test of whether early measurements of AGD and/or penile length predict subsequent autistic traits. The current findings do not support a relationship between prenatal or early postnatal androgen exposure and autistic traits. The current study augments prior research showing no consistent relationship between early androgen exposure and autistic traits.
Highlights
It has been well-documented that males are more likely to receive a diagnosis of autism than are females, with 4:1 being the most frequently stated ratio (Halladay et al, 2015)
The current study provides the first test of whether anogenital distance (AGD) at birth, at 3 months of age or its growth between these time points relates to autistic traits in boys and in girls
The current study tested whether androgen exposure during the presumed prenatal and early postnatal critical windows contributes to the development of autistic traits
Summary
It has been well-documented that males are more likely to receive a diagnosis of autism than are females, with 4:1 being the most frequently stated ratio (Halladay et al, 2015). Hypotheses related to the extreme male brain theory of autism suggest that heightened androgen exposure during early development contributes to autistic traits. Whilst prior research focused mostly on the prenatal period, the current study tests the influences of androgen exposure during both the prenatal and the early postnatal periods on autistic traits during childhood. Anogenital distance (AGD) was measured at birth and 3 months of age in boys and girls. Results: There were no significant associations between any of the AGD or penile length measures and scores on the AQ-10 Child in boys, girls or the entire sample. Conclusions: The current study provides the first test of whether early measurements of AGD and/or penile length predict subsequent autistic traits. The current study augments prior research showing no consistent relationship between early androgen exposure and autistic traits.
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