Dermatoglyphics and creases in patients with neurofibromatosis von Recklinghausen

Fingerprint and palmar dermatoglyphics and creases were investigated in 60 patients (20 males and 40 females) with generalized neurofibromatosis. Like previous investigators, we found a significantly increased frequency of digital central pocket patterns. Furthermore, affected males and females had an increased frequency of monocentric whorls (P = 0.0037), higher quantitative values on digit II of both hands (P = 0.04), more often a reduction of main line C (P less than 0.05) with decreased frequencies of patterns in the 3rd and 4th interdigital area of the left hand (P less than 0.05), and a lower ab ridge count (males P less than 0.005; females P less than 0.001) than control individuals. On the right hand of males the frequency of high endings (5' or 5'') of line A was decreased (P less than 0.05). A significantly increased frequency of Sfl (Sydney line) was found in female patients (P less than 0.001). Male and female patients often showed a high number of secondary creases (P less than 0.001).