Dermatoglyphics and cheiloscopy in inheritance of oral clefts in North Indian population

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is one of the most common congenital malformations occurring in the craniofacial region. Causes of CLP can be attributed to the genetics and environmental factors. Potential advantages of prenatal diagnosis of oral cleft include psycho-social preparation, opportunity for parent education, planned neonatal care, anticipation on possible feeding problems, and increased reproductive awareness. Dermatoglyphic analysis and cheiloscopic analysis are now beginning to prove themselves as an extremely useful tool for preliminary investigations into conditions with a suspected genetic basis.

The study consisted of two groups of 45 parents and siblings each of cleft lip with/without palate, CL (P)-affected children (group A) and normal children (group B). The study aimed to evaluate the inheritance of cleft lip and palate in North Indian patients using dermatoglyphics and cheiloscopy. Prints of all ten fingers were taken by the Ink method and recorded on white paper. Lip patterns were obtained by direct photography of the subjects in the natural head position.

Increased inter-digital asymmetry (with an increased score) was seen in mothers and fathers of group A. The loop pattern was seen more in the mothers, fathers, and siblings of group A. The Type O pattern was seen only in group A in only the fathers and mothers.

A highly significant correlation was observed in finger prints and lip patterns in parents with CL (P)-affected children and hence can prove to be an extremely useful screening tool for CL(P) and other associated genetic anomalies.