Relationship between Digit Ratio (2D: 4D) and Neck Circumference

Abstract

Background and Aim: Ratio between the index and ring fingers (2D:4D) is an indirect evidence of prenatal androgen exposure. Neck circumference (NC), is a simple screening measure reported to be positively correlated with the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The current study aims to analyse whether there is a correlation between NC and intra uterine testosterone exposure by using digit ratio as proxy marker. Method: The study population consisted of 150 healthy volunteers in the age group of 18 – 35 years. After eliciting a detailed socio-demographic history from all the subjects, their digit ratio, neck circumference, height and weight were recorded. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the relationship between 2D:4D and NC. Confounding effects of body weight were removed by calculating partial correlations. Results: There was a positive correlation between digit ratio and neck circumference which was significant in males (p0.05). Conclusion: There exists a possibility that prenatal testosterone exposure is protective against CHD and digit ratio can be considered as an earlier, simple and cost effective method to predict the risk of CHD. Key words: Digit ratio, Neck circumference, Coronary heart disease, Prenatal testosterone