Dermatoglyphics in von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis

We studied dermatoglyphic traits in 27 patients (12 males and 15 females) with neurofibromatosis type I (NF-1) to verify which characteristics may be considered typical of this disorder. The frequency of digital central pockets in the patients was significantly greater than in control individuals (P less than .005), but when we evaluated the sexes separately, the difference was significant only among females (P less than .002). The distribution of central pockets on the various fingers was significantly different in affected females, compared with normal controls, but only on fingers II (P less than .05), IV (P .002), and V (P less than .05). The quantitative finger tip pattern values and the total finger ridge count (TFRC) were always higher in the patients, as well as was the a-b ridge count. The latter was significantly increased only on the right hand in females (P less than .01). Among the patients, the atd angle values were increased on both hands of females and on the right hand in males, whereas both the ulnar index A'-d and the a-t' ridge counts were diminished. The frequency of high endings (5' or 5") of line A was increased in NF-1 patients on both hands. Like in previous investigations, our patients showed an increased number of secondary creases, limited to II degree according to Vormittag et al. [1986] (P less than .048). Our results only partially confirmed prior data. Therefore, we think that there is no typical dermatoglyphic pattern in NF-1 and that this parameter is not a diagnostic indicator in this disorder.