No relation between 2D : 4D fetal testosterone marker and dyslexia.
It has been suggested that high levels of prenatal testosterone exposure are implied in the aetiology of dyslexia and its frequently co-occurring sensory problems. This study examined 2D : 4D digit ratio (a marker of fetal testosterone exposure) in dyslexic and normal reading children. No group differences in 2D : 4D were observed. Digit ratio did not show the postulated relation with reading, spelling, phonological ability, speech perception, auditory processing and visual processing. These findings challenge the validity of theories that allocate a prominent role to fetal testosterone exposure in the aetiology of dyslexia and its sensory impairments.
Boets
Bart
B
Centre for Disability, Special Needs Education and Child Care, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Science, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Vesaliusstraat 2, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. bart.boets@ped.kuleuven.be
De Smedt
Bert
B
Wouters
Jan
J
Lemay
Katrien
K
Ghesquière
Pol
P
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000254:growth & development*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011932:Reading; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013739:Testosterone
D013739:Testosterone