About this Research Topic
Anthropometric measurements provide important information about prenatal development, postnatal growth and the development of diseases. These measurements include body proportions and asymmetries, which can be correlated to a number of endocrine consequences, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Adrenal Disorders. The most common being Obesity and its diagnosis with Body Mass Index (BMI).
In addition to specific disorders, these markers can also indicate early exposure to hormones. For example, the digit ratio—specifically the ratio between the second and fourth digits (2D:4D)—is sexually dimorphic, with males typically exhibiting a lower ratio than females. This ratio is believed to be an indicator of prenatal exposure to sex steroids. A low 2D:4D ratio suggests high prenatal testosterone and low estrogen levels, whereas a high 2D:4D ratio indicates the opposite. This is just one of the many anthropometric ratios that is thought to reflect an individual’s risk of different diseases and disorders due to early hormone exposure.
Although much work has been done to determine the importance of anthropometric markers in the diagnosis of endocrine related disorders, there is often conflicting evidence in regard to the usefulness of the specific markers as hormonal indicators in the aetiology of different diseases. In this topic, we plan to explore a full range of anthropometric markers, shedding light on their usefulness in determining the role of prenatal and postnatal hormone exposure in the pathophysiology of different diseases and conditions.
To achieve this, we aim to collect studies that present the potential role of anthropometric features/measurements, asymmetries and ratios in identifying individuals at higher risk of developing endocrine disorders and to determine possible roles of hormones in other disorders. These studies should cover how these markers can diagnose both hormonal balance and endocrine disease, in regard to prenatal as well as postnatal development. By learning more about these traits, we can start to use them as simple additional tools in directing specific public health actions, such as prophylactic examinations, and educational campaigns directed to the most endangered individuals.
This collection is open to (but not limited to) original articles, meta-analyses and reviews investing the following topics:
- Anthropometric markers for determining prenatal and postnatal exposure to different hormones
- Hormonal and developmental basis for anthropometric features’ diversity
- Anthropometric markers and their use in the diagnosis of Endocrine disorders
- Statistical methodology in analyzing the contribution of anthropometric features in endocrine disease development
- Advances in Technology for measuring anthropometric markers
- Sex differences in endocrine disease risk and prognosis
In addition to specific disorders, these markers can also indicate early exposure to hormones. For example, the digit ratio—specifically the ratio between the second and fourth digits (2D:4D)—is sexually dimorphic, with males typically exhibiting a lower ratio than females. This ratio is believed to be an indicator of prenatal exposure to sex steroids. A low 2D:4D ratio suggests high prenatal testosterone and low estrogen levels, whereas a high 2D:4D ratio indicates the opposite. This is just one of the many anthropometric ratios that is thought to reflect an individual’s risk of different diseases and disorders due to early hormone exposure.
Although much work has been done to determine the importance of anthropometric markers in the diagnosis of endocrine related disorders, there is often conflicting evidence in regard to the usefulness of the specific markers as hormonal indicators in the aetiology of different diseases. In this topic, we plan to explore a full range of anthropometric markers, shedding light on their usefulness in determining the role of prenatal and postnatal hormone exposure in the pathophysiology of different diseases and conditions.
To achieve this, we aim to collect studies that present the potential role of anthropometric features/measurements, asymmetries and ratios in identifying individuals at higher risk of developing endocrine disorders and to determine possible roles of hormones in other disorders. These studies should cover how these markers can diagnose both hormonal balance and endocrine disease, in regard to prenatal as well as postnatal development. By learning more about these traits, we can start to use them as simple additional tools in directing specific public health actions, such as prophylactic examinations, and educational campaigns directed to the most endangered individuals.
This collection is open to (but not limited to) original articles, meta-analyses and reviews investing the following topics:
- Anthropometric markers for determining prenatal and postnatal exposure to different hormones
- Hormonal and developmental basis for anthropometric features’ diversity
- Anthropometric markers and their use in the diagnosis of Endocrine disorders
- Statistical methodology in analyzing the contribution of anthropometric features in endocrine disease development
- Advances in Technology for measuring anthropometric markers
- Sex differences in endocrine disease risk and prognosis
Keywords: Risk factors, predictors, disease screening, anthropometry, sex differences, hormone
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