The 2D:4D ratios in the mothers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND

Prenatal exposure to high levels of testosterone affects the development of the brain. The purpose of this study was to compare the mothers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and those of healthy children in terms of the digit ratio (2D:4D). It also examines the relationship between ADHD symptoms and the 2D:4D in mothers.

METHOD

The mothers of 120 children with ADHD and of 61 healthy children were included in the study. 2D:4D were measured for both the patients and the healthy individuals, and sociodemographic data were examined. The mothers' ADHD symptoms were measured using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). The patient and control groups were compared in terms of 2D:4D values and ADHD symptoms. The relationship between 2D:4D and ADHD was also examined in the patient group.

RESULTS

Maternal right 2D:4D (p < 0.001) and left 2D:4D (p = 0.003) values in the ADHD group were significantly lower than in the control group mothers. No association was also observed between the left hand and right 2D:4D ratios of the mothers in the case group and the ASRS- Hyperactivity or Attention Deficit subscales.

CONCLUSION

Our findings add to the literature examining the relationship between prenatal exposure to testosterone and ADHD. This study shows that the mothers of children with ADHD are exposed to greater prenatal testosterone. In addition, it does not support the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to testosterone in the mothers of children with ADHD plays a role in the development of ADHD symptoms. Further studies examining this relationship in mothers are now needed.