The relationship between mothers' second and fourth finger lengths (2D:4D) and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, head circumference, and 2D:4D) of the newborns.

Abstract

In our study, the relationship between male and female newborns' second finger (2D) and fourth finger (4D) lengths, height, weight, and head circumference measurements and their mothers' 2D and 4D lengths was examined. One hundred and twenty mothers between the ages of 18 and 40 who recently gave birth and 60 females and 60 males newborns of these mothers participated in the study. Height, weight, and head circumference measurements of newborns were taken after birth. 2D and 4D length measurements of newborns and their mothers were made with a caliper with 0.01 mm precision which had. Right 2D:4D ratio (0.95 ± 0.08) of male newborns was found to be lower when compared with the right 2D:4D (1.00 ± 0.17) ratio of female newborns. Left 2D:4D ratio of male newborns (0.96 ± 0.07) was also found to be lower when compared with the left 2D:4D (0.98 ± 0.12) ratio of female newborns. Significant positive correlation was found between right 2D lengths of mothers of male newborns and newborns' weight and head diameter and between mothers' 2D:4D ratio and newborns' head diameter. Significant positive correlation was found between right 2D and 4D lengths of mothers of female newborns and female newborns' height, head circumference and right 2D and 4D lengths of female newborns. Significant positive correlation was found between left 2D lengths of mothers and female newborns' height, weight, and head circumference. We think that the data obtained in our study will provide basic information for obstetricians in determining prenatal measurements and for neonatal physicians after delivery.