Dermatoglyphics in congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss: a disease marker?

ABSTRACT

A dermatoglyphic profile was carried out in 108 cases of congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) with delayed development of speech and language (DDSL). Rolled finger prints and palmar patterns were obtained by the ink method and analysed by the Galton system. In the genetic group (Group A) triradii 6 was present whereas it was absent in the nongenetic (Group B) group and their controls (p < 0.001). Loop pattern in interdigital areas did not vary significantly from controls. The average 'atd' angle in Group A was 41 degrees and that in the Group B was 46 degrees (p > 0.5). Ulnar loops predominated over the radial loops. Absence of CPW on thumbs of Group A was noted. Total ridge count in the Group A was 98.84 and 109 in the Group B (p < 0.05). It was observed that no definite pattern existed in a constant fashion and it also exhibited a great degree of variation, hence their role in detection of hearing loss is questionable.