Role of Dermatoglyphics as a Diagnostic Tool in Syndromes and Systemic Disorders

Dermatoglyphics is the art and science of the study of surface markings and patterns of ridges on the skin of the fingers, palm, toes and soles. It is a useful tool for investigations into conditions with a suspected genetic basis.Dermatoglyphic patterns on the fingers often differ in syndromes and other systemic conditions with a developmental component, compared to the general population. Current scenario of medical dermatoglyphics is such that the association between fingerprint patterns and various syndromes and systemic disorders such as Down'syndrome, Turner's syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome, Trisomies 18, 13 and 8, Cri-du-chat Syndrome, Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, Cleft lip and palate, Leukemia, Rubella embryopathy, Congenital malformations of the hand and feet and many others has been well established. This article discusses in detail the applications of dermatoglyphics in diagnosing several syndromes and systemic disorders. Dermatoglyphics is an accessible, inexpensive, useful, reliable and noninvasive method of exploring the genetic associations of oral, craniofacial, systemic disorders and syndromes. Thus, apart from personal identification, dermatoglyphics serves as an excellent tool in screening population for several syndromes and systemic disorders.