title: The Second-to-Fourth Digit Ratio in Cryptorchidism: A Case-Control Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The homeobox (Hox) genes a and d controlling limb and genital development influence the digit ratio and the fetal production of testicular androgen, which may result in testicular descent in boys. To assess whether the digit ratio reflects disease status, we investigated the second and fourth finger lengths in children with cryptorchidism, in children with hydrocele as a disease control, and in healthy controls (boys and girls).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred ninety-six children (46 with cryptorchidism, 50 with hydrocele, 50 healthy boys, and 50 healthy girls) who were 6 to 23 months of age were prospectively enrolled. Digit lengths were measured by 2 investigators, and the mean value was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The second-to-fourth digit ratios (2D:4Ds) of the left hand in the cryptorchidism group, hydrocele group, healthy boys, and healthy girls were 0.958, 0.956, 0.950, and 0.956, respectively. The 2D:4D values of the right hand were 0.946, 0.945, 0.952, and 0.969, respectively. The right and left 2D:4D ratios were not significantly different among groups. The 2D:4D of both hands was not related to age, weight, or height.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to these results, the 2D:4D was not significantly different in boys with cryptorchidism than in boys with hydrocele or in healthy controls (boys and girls) and failed to reflect disease conditions in the infant period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hawook
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Wook
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Eulji University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Bongju
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Eulji University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Taewoo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Daeseon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jinsung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Dae Kyeng
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Hyo
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Woo
keywords: Anthropometry; Child; Cryptorchidism; Fingers