Is left-handedness a sensitive marker of prenatal exposures or indicators of fetal growth?
Left-handedness has been suggested as a sensitive marker of neurotoxic exposures or of the hormonal environment in fetal life. The prevalence of left-handedness was the subject of a follow-up study in children aged 5 to 9 years and correlated to exposures recorded by their mothers during pregnancy. Altogether 965 children were studied by means of questionnaires completed by the mothers. The response rate was 91%. Smoking, head circumference, Apgar score and indicators of fetal growth retardation were found not to be associated with increased prevalence of left-handedness.
Olsen
J
J
Steno Institute of Public Health, Dept. of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
D001034:Apgar Score; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects