Comparative Dermatoglyphic Study between Autistic Patients and Normal People in Iran

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Genetics
• Biometrics

Background:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with complex etiology involving genetic and environmental factors.
• Diagnosis often occurs later in childhood, highlighting the need for early identification methods.
• Dermatoglyphics, the study of fingerprint patterns, are stable throughout life and have been linked to various genetic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential associations between dermatoglyphic patterns and autism in a specific Iranian population.
• To explore the utility of fingerprint analysis as a potential biometric screening tool for autism.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 104 autistic children (ages 5-15) and 102 healthy controls (ages 6-25) from the Fars population in Khorasan-Razavi, Iran.
• Fingerprint data, including pattern types and ridge counts, were collected using a fingerprint scanner.
• Statistical analysis employed the Mann-Whitney nonparametric test and binomial distribution.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were observed in dermatoglyphic pattern distribution on the thumbs and index fingers between autistic individuals and controls (P<0.05).
• Autistic patients exhibited a higher frequency of loop patterns on their right and left thumbs and index fingers.
• A notable decrease in ridge counts was found on the thumbs and index fingers of autistic individuals compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

• Dermatoglyphic patterns, particularly on the thumbs and index fingers, are significantly associated with the risk of autism.
• Fingerprint analysis shows promise as a non-invasive biometric parameter for the early screening of children with autism.