The correlation of right 2D:4D finger length ratio to the low-grade inflammation marker IL-6 in children. The Healthy Growth Study.
BACKGROUND
Second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is associated with cardiometabolic risk in adults.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the association of right 2D:4D with cardiovascular disease risk factors in children.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
A sample of 301 children (53.5% girls) aged 9-13 in Greece and their parents. Children who were sick during the previous week of examination (n=44) were excluded from the analyses.


METHODS
Socio-demographic (gestational age, birth weight, age, gender, maternal education level), anthropometric (body weight and height, finger length), clinical (pubertal stage, sickness during the previous week of the examination), blood [serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), serum high sensitivity interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum leptin], lifestyle (dietary intake, maternal smoking during pregnancy) and physical fitness (handgrip strength) data were collected. CRP, IL-6 and leptin were measured with ELISA, using standard equipment and procedures, in accordance with manufacturers' instructions.


RESULTS
Full data were available for 257 children (52.1% girls). The rank values of right 2D:4D and IL-6 were included in the analyses. Right 2D:4D was correlated only with IL-6 at a bivariate level (r=0.216, p=0.012) in girls. At a linear multivariate level, this association remained significant, even after adjusting for several potential confounders such as age, Tanner stage, maternal education level, body mass index, maternal smoking during pregnancy, duration of pregnancy, protein-, carbohydrate-, fat-intake and physical fitness (β±SE=0.220±0.066, p=0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Right 2D:4D was found to be associated with IL-6 in girls. Right 2D:4D may be a valuable, simple screening tool of low-grade inflammation in children.
First Department of Paediatrics, University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Thivon and Papadiamantopoulou, 11527 Athens, Greece; Harokopio University, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, 70 El. Venizelou, 17671 Kallithea Athens, Greece. Electronic address: oandrou@hua.gr.
Odysseas
O
Androutsos
Harokopio University, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, 70 El. Venizelou, 17671 Kallithea Athens, Greece.
George
G
Moschonis
Harokopio University, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, 70 El. Venizelou, 17671 Kallithea Athens, Greece.
Alexandra
A
Koumpitski
Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Evgenideion Hospital, Athens University School of Medicine, Athens 11528, Greece.
Aimilia
A
Mantzou
First Department of Paediatrics, University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Thivon and Papadiamantopoulou, 11527 Athens, Greece.
Eleftheria
E
Roma-Giannikou
First Department of Paediatrics, University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Thivon and Papadiamantopoulou, 11527 Athens, Greece.
George P
GP
Chrousos
Harokopio University, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, 70 El. Venizelou, 17671 Kallithea Athens, Greece.
Yannis
Y
Manios
First Department of Paediatrics, University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Thivon and Papadiamantopoulou, 11527 Athens, Greece. Electronic address: ganten@hol.gr.
Christina
C
Kanaka-Gantenbein
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male
C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6
2D:4D; CVD risk factors; Children; Finger length ratio; Inflammation