Dermatoglyphics: aid in predicting susceptibility to hereditary intestinal polyposis

Since alteration in epidermal ridge configurations occurs during the first 3 fetal months, a correlation is possible between specific pattern alterations and genetic predisposition to certain diseases. Studies showed an increased frequency of digital whorls in children with acute leukemia, and increased numbers of whorls and fewer radial loops in cancer patients than in controls. A genetic study is in progress in a 6-state mid-eastern area of the United States of families with hereditary intestinal polyposis. Dermatoglyphic analyses include the following configurations on (1) affected persons, (2) those at risk for polyposis, (3) unaffected members, (4) controls: hallucal pattern, big toe pattern and ridge count, finger patterns and ridge count, total finger ridge count, palmar main line endings, main line index, a-b triradii ridge count, position of axial triradius, atd angle, palmar patterns, and palmar flexion creases. The information is coded for the computer. A preliminary study of the prints of 43 Gardner syndrome patients and 39 controls revealed a significant difference (P < 0.005-0.001 level, using t-test) between the total finger ridge count per hand in the 2 groups, with a higher ridge count for Gardner syndrome patients. Of 36 pattern areas studied, 2 were significant (P = 0.05): fourth left digital and right palmar main line ending A (though this might be expected with 36 patterns).