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Parent-offspring resemblance of palmar and plantar dermatoglyphic patterns in Down syndrome
U Langenbeck1, G Herzberger, S Kümmerle
1Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, Frankfurt/Main , Germany. ulangenbeck@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Insights
Parental influence on palm and sole patterns is evident in siblings but less significant in children with Down syndrome (DS). Further research with more families is needed to confirm findings in DS genetic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Dermatoglyphics
- Human Morphology
Background:
- Heritable morphological features can be influenced by genetic factors.
- Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is a genetic condition associated with distinct phenotypic characteristics.
- Dermatoglyphic patterns (palm and sole prints) are recognized as heritable traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of trisomy 21 on heritable dermatoglyphic patterns.
- To compare parental influence on dermatoglyphics in children with Down syndrome versus their siblings.
- To assess the expression of specific palm and sole patterns in relation to genetic background.
Main Methods:
- Recording palmar and plantar dermatoglyphic patterns in 48 children with Down syndrome (DS).
- Collecting dermatoglyphic data from parents and 57 control siblings.
- Utilizing the Kendall tau rank correlation test to analyze parental influence on pattern frequencies.
Main Results:
- A significant parental influence on interdigital areas III and IV palm and sole patterns was observed in control siblings (P = 0.3%–3.8%).
- Parental influence on these dermatoglyphic patterns was discernible but not statistically significant in children with Down syndrome.
- The study suggests a potential, albeit less pronounced, genetic inheritance pattern in DS individuals.
Conclusions:
- Parental influence on dermatoglyphic patterns is evident in the general population and siblings.
- The study indicates a possible, but not statistically confirmed, parental influence on dermatoglyphics in children with Down syndrome.
- Larger sample sizes are recommended to definitively establish the role of parental genetics in DS dermatoglyphic expression.
Abstract:
With the aim of investigating the influence of trisomy 21 on the expression of heritable morphological features, we recorded the palmar and plantar dermatoglyphic patterns in 48 children with Down syndrome (DS), in both their parents, and, as a control, in 57 of their siblings. Using the Kendall tau rank correlation test, a considerable parental influence on the frequency of true patterns in the interdigital areas (IDA) III and IV of the palms (P = 0.3%) and soles (P = 1.0% and 3.8%, respectively) is demonstrated for the control siblings. In the children with DS, this influence is discernible as well, although with no statistical significance. A greater number of families may be required to settle the question.