Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

No relationship between prenatal or early postnatal androgen exposure and autistic traits: evidence using anogenital distance and penile length measurements at birth and 3 months of age

Kung, Karson T.F., Thankamony, Ajay, Ong, Ken K.L., Acerini, Carlo L., Dunger, David B., Hughes, Ieuan A., Hines, Melissa (2020) No relationship between prenatal or early postnatal androgen exposure and autistic traits: evidence using anogenital distance and penile length measurements at birth and 3 months of age. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, . ISSN 0021-9630. E-ISSN 1469-7610. (doi:10.1111/jcpp.13335) (KAR id:85305)

Abstract

Background: Autism is more prevalent in males than in females. Hypotheses related to the extreme male brain theory of autism suggest that heightened androgen exposure during early development contributes to autistic traits. Whilst prior research focused mostly on the prenatal period, the current study tests the influences of androgen exposure during both the prenatal and the early postnatal periods on autistic traits during childhood. Methods: Anthropometric measures that are putative biomarkers of early androgen exposure were employed. Anogenital distance (AGD) was measured at birth and 3 months of age in boys and girls. Penile length at birth and 3 months of age was also measured in boys. When the children were 9–13 years old, a parent‐reported questionnaire (the 10‐item children’s version of the Autism Spectrum Quotient; AQ‐10 Child) was used to assess autistic traits in 97 boys and 110 girls. Results: There were no significant associations between any of the AGD or penile length measures and scores on the AQ‐10 Child in boys, girls or the entire sample. Conclusions: The current study provides the first test of whether early measurements of AGD and/or penile length predict subsequent autistic traits. The current findings do not support a relationship between prenatal or early postnatal androgen exposure and autistic traits. The current study augments prior research showing no consistent relationship between early androgen exposure and autistic traits.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/jcpp.13335
Uncontrolled keywords: Anogenital distance, penile length, autism, autistic traits, gender, extreme male brain
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Karson Kung
Date Deposited: 04 Jan 2021 13:23 UTC
Last Modified: 02 Dec 2021 13:48 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/85305 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.