Dermatoglyphic patterns are noted on the volar aspect of the skin of all primates including man & apes.
Concomitant with recent development in human cytogenetics, there has been a growing awareness of the clinical significance of dermatoglyphics in the study of a wide variety of prenatally disorders. Most dermatoglyphic abrrations are associated with chromosomal defects and a wide array of diseases operating in the earlier stages of embryogensis.
Author studied on the dermatoglyphic patterns in 964 healthy normal and 130 mentally retarded children in order to demontrate and apply any differences for clinical aspects.
The results-were as follows :
1. On Fingers:
In normal children, the whorl pattern was most common & the next ulnar loop on both thumb, index, & ring fingers and ulnar loop was most common & the next whorl pattern on both middle & little fingers. In mentally retarded children, ulnar loop was most common & whorl pattern on all fingers except both index & right ring finger.
As a whole, in mentally retarded children, ulnar loop pattern was more frequently seen than in normal children.
2. On Palms :
1) Hypothenar, Thenar and Interdigital Area :
There were no significant differences between normal and mentally retarded children (P<0. 005).
2) Simian Crease :
A significant statistical difference was shown between normal and mentally retarded children(P<0. 005).3) Distal Axial Triradii :
A significant statistical difference was shown between normal and mentally retarded children (P<0. 005).
3. Clinodactyly :
A significant statistical difference of frequency was shown between normal and mentally retarded children(P<0.005).
|