[New data on the ambiguous nature of the effects of exogamy on human growth processes]

Growth peculiarities were followed in children of pre-school and school age (Ukrainians from Dnepropetrovsk Region, Kumyks, and Avartses from Dagestan, Tadjiks, Usbeks and Kirghizes from Middle Asia) with a special reference to exogamy estimated both by the presence or absence of relationship between their parents and by the distance between their birthplaces denoted as 0, I and II degrees of exogamy (DE). In every ethnic groups investigated with transition from 0 to DE to 1 DE increase in growth activity was noted. Transition from 1 DE to 11 DE in Ukrainians, Kirghizes and Usbeks was accompanied by some decrease in growth activity, while in Kumyks and Avartses it remains at the same level. The differences noted could be explained by various demographic conditions in population of the regions studied. As the studies demonstrated in Ukrainian children, activation in growth processes in the population with 1 DE is followed by the appearance of some peculiarities in dermatoglyphics and odontoglyphics which were absent in children with 0 DE and 11 DE. The data obtained demonstrate a certain role of genetic factors in developmental acceleration displaying at a moderate degree of exogamy.