Abstract

This study aimed at determining the dermatoglyphic patterns of Down’s syndrome subjects in Nigeria. A digital scanning method was used to select subjects and a total of 101 Down’s syndrome subjects (58 males and 43 females) and 100 control subjects (65 males and 35 females) were used for the study. The subjects were conveniently selected from various special schools in Nigeria. The data were tested using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test. A significantly increased ulnar loop was observed for Down’s syndrome. The distribution of fingerprint patterns and finger ridge counts were observed to be significantly different between Down’s syndrome and control subjects and they were particularly observed in the index and middle fingers (both right and left hands) for both sexes, male subjects (p<0.05). As such, the total finger ridge count was higher in Down’s syndrome as compared to control subjects and it was particularly observed on the right hands of both sexes and male subjects (p<0.05). The females showed no significant difference. In conclusion, the study revealed significant difference between Down’s syndrome and control subjects deducing that dermatoglyphics could be correlated to Down’s syndrome and could be used for its early diagnosis to aid early intervention.

Keywords: Dermatoglyphics, Down’s syndrome, Control, Early intervention, Nigeria