Dermatoglyphics in Medical Disorders

Abstract

Study of the patterns of the epidermal ridges of finger, palm, and sole can serve as an aid to the diagnosis of many diseases particularly those caused by chromosomal aberrations which are frequently accompanied by distortion of patterns but also in other diseases both genetically and non-genetically determined. In early pregnancy an intrauterine growth disturbance affecting the extremities whether due to hereditary or environmental factors, will be accompanied by abnormal dermatoglyphics. A clinical diagnosis should not be based on dermatoglyphic features alone because of the great natural variation found in print patterns, no single feature being specific to a particular disease. However a complete examination of the patient with skin disease particularly if the latter has a genetic component should include observation of the epidermal ridges of hands and feet. Dermatoglyphics-the study of pattern of fine ridges on fingers, palm and sole have been a useful tool for personal identification and determination of paternity for some time. It has proved important due to the fact that (1) unlike most human traits; dermal ridges and the configurations formed by them are not affected by age. (2) Detailed structure of individual ridges is extremely variable and (3) throughout postnatal life they are not affected by environment.