Individuals with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts have increased asymmetry of fingerprint patterns

Abstract

Dermatoglyphic patterns on the fingers often differ in syndromes and other conditions with a developmental component, compared to the general population. Previous literature on the relationship between orofacial clefts-the most common craniofacial birth defect in humans-and dermatoglyphics is inconsistent, with some studies reporting altered pattern frequencies and/or increased asymmetry and others failing to find differences. To investigate dermatoglyphics in orofacial clefting, we obtained dermatoglyphic patterns in a large multiethnic cohort of orofacial cleft cases (N = 367), their unaffected family members (N = 836), and controls (N = 299). We categorized fingerprint pattern types from males and females who participated at five sites of the Pittsburgh Orofacial Cleft study (Hungary, United States of America (Pennsylvania, Texas), Spain, and Argentina). We also calculated a pattern dissimilarity score for each individual as a measure of left-right asymmetry. We tested for group differences in the number of arches, ulnar and radial loops, and whorls on each individual's hands, and in the pattern dissimilarity scores using ANOVA. After taking sex and site differences into account, we did not find any significant pattern count differences between cleft and non-cleft individuals. Notably, we did observe increased pattern dissimilarity in individuals with clefts, compared to both their unaffected relatives and controls. Increased dermatoglyphic pattern dissimilarity in individuals with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts may reflect a generalized developmental instability.

Fig 1. Types of nonsyndromic oral facial clefts.

Nonsyndromic clefts can involve the lip only (A), both lip and palate (B), or the palate only (C). They range in severity from small lip notches and submucous cleft palates to the severe case shown in (B). CL = cleft lip; CP = cleft palate.

Fig 2. Dermatoglyphic patterns.

(A) Arches, loops, and whorls are common fingerprints. Loops can be either ulnar or radial, depending on whether they open to the ulnar or radial side of the finger. (B) Uncommon fingerprints include accidentals and other rare types.