Dermatoglyphics in cleft lip and cleft palate anomalies

Dermatoglyphic characteristics of sixty nine cases of cleft lip with or without cleft palate and twenty eight isolated cleft palate cases were evaluated for digital patterns, interdigital patterns, palmar simian crease and sydney line, and model types of C- and D-line terminations. Increased frequency of ulnar and radial loops than the arches and whorls was observed in cleft lip with or without cleft palate patients compared to controls. Interdigital patterns were less frequent in cleft lip and cleft palate patients. Simian crease and Sydney line were more common in patients than in controls. Model types of C- and D-line terminations showed variations in patients and controls. Wider 'atd' angle (more than 30 degrees) and dermatoglyphic asymmetry were noted in the patient groups. The findings suggest the dichotomy or heterogeneity of cleft lip and cleft palate anomalies. The role and utility of dermatoglyphics in genetical etiology of congenital defects were emphasized.