Anogenital Distance in Term Newborns in Kumasi, Ghana.

BACKGROUND

Anogenital distance (AGD) is a simple noninvasive measure of foetal androgen exposure. This study was done to generate normative data on AGD in Ghanaian newborns.

METHODS

AGD was measured in 644 male and 612 female term newborns; including the distance between the anterior base of the penis and the centre of the anus, the posterior base of the penis and the centre of the anus, and the posterior base of the scrotum and the centre of the anus (ASD) in males and the distance from the anus to the fourchette (AF) and from the anus to the base of the clitoris in females. Other anthropometric and parental socio-demographic indices were also documented.

RESULTS

AGD was sexually dimorphic; with a mean ± SD ASD and AF of 25.5 ± 5.1 and 13.6 ± 2.7 mm, respectively. There was a significant correlation between AGD and birth weight, birth length, and occipitofrontal circumference (p < 0.05). ASD was significantly longer (p < 0.001) in newborns (83/644; 12.9%) of mothers who had ingested herbs during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

AGD was approximately twice as long in males compared to females and can serve as a useful indicator of androgen exposure. Measurements of AGD also need to factor in anthropometric parameters, which are important correlates of AGD.