A Decrease in Sex Ratio at Birth Nine Months after the Earthquake in L'Aquila. (18th June 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: D'Alfonso, A.; Patacchiola, F.; Colagrande, I.; D'Alessandro, G.; Di Fonso, A.; Palermo, P.; Carta, G.
• Other Names: Levy T. Academic Editor.; Taskinen H. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: TheScientificWorldjournal. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-06-18
• Subjects: Science -- Periodicals; Technology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1100/2012/162017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2356-6140

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction . Multiple factors influence the secondary sex ratio (SSR) including stress, which appears to affect mainly the males born. Objective . We evaluate the effects of the earthquake in L'Aquila on the SSR. Materials and Methods . The SSR for the first six months of 2010 was compared to that of the same period of 2008. The chi-square test and Fisher's test were used for the statistical analysis. Results . Nine months after the earthquake, an important reduction in the SSR was recorded: January 2010 versus January 2008 =0.62 versus 0.96. An overall fall in the SSR was also recorded when the first 3 months of 2010 were compared to the first three months of 2008: 0, 82 versus 1, 11. When the first three months of 2010 were compared with the second three months of 2010, a statistically significant increase of the sex ratio at birth was noted (0, 82 versus 1, 27).