Dermatoglyphic defects in children with leukaemia

Limb development genes underlie variation in human fingerprint patterns

Fingerprints are of long-standing practical and cultural interest, but little is known about the mechanisms that underlie their variation. Using genome-wide scans in Han Chinese cohorts, we identified 18 loci associated with fingerprint type across the digits, including a genetic basis for the long-recognized “pattern-block” correlations among the middle three digits. In particular, we identified a variant near EVI1 that alters regulatory activity and established a role for EVI1 in dermatoglyph patterning in mice. Dynamic EVI1 expression during human development supports its role in shaping the limbs and digits, rather than influencing skin patterning directly. Trans-ethnic meta-analysis identified 43 fingerprint-associated loci, with nearby genes being strongly enriched for general limb development pathways. We also found that fingerprint patterns were genetically correlated with hand proportions. Taken together, these findings support the key role of limb development genes in influencing the outcome of fingerprint patterning.

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GWAS identifies variants associated with fingerprint type across all digits

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Fingerprint-associated genes are strongly enriched for limb development functions

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Evi1 alters dermatoglyphs in mice by modulating limb rather than skin development

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Fingerprint patterns are genetically correlated with hand and finger proportions

Dermatoglyphics and acute lymphocytic leukemia in children

Cellular features of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in children suggest that it originates in abnormal embryogenesis. Because palmar flexion creases develop in the embryo at the same time as the blood-forming cells, and because both arise from mesodermal tissue, insults to the embryo that may lead to leukemic changes in the blood-forming cells may also result in aberrant palmar crease patterns. This study investigated the relationship between aberrant palmar creases and ALL in children who developed leukemia at age 6 years or younger. Odds ratios and chi squares demonstrated significant differences in bilateral aberrant palmar creases between ALL children and relatives (P less than .025). Differences were not explained by familial clustering of aberrant creases. These results support the theory that the insult occurred during pregnancy, probably in the first trimester. There were no significant differences in either bilateral or unilateral aberrant palmar creases between ALL children and their siblings. All children with bilateral aberrant creases had a higher incidence of central nervous system involvement (50%) than those without bilateral aberrant creases (6%). This may reflect a preleukemic change in utero before the time the blood-brain barrier has been established.

Development of human palmar and digital flexion creases

To determine the timing of the development of the various palmar and digital creases, we examined the hands of 100 human fetuses obtained after therapeutic abortion. The fetuses ranged in age from 7 to 19 fetal weeks, with age being established by menstrual period dates and ultrasound examination before termination. Our observations show that palmar and digital creases develop between 8 and 13 fetal weeks. Digital creases are well defined by 10 weeks; palmar creases are consistently seen by 13 weeks of gestation. The volar pads are present from 8 to 14 fetal weeks. A hand malformation or specific insult that occurs before the time of crease development and that alters the form or function of the fetal hand can cause secondary alterations increase patterns of the hand.

Increased prevalence of minor anomalies in childhood malignancy

Body measurements were taken and the prevalence of major malformations and of 57 minor anomalies was determined in 106 children with malignant disease, in 81 of their sibs, and in 106 control subjects matched to the patients according to sex, age and ethnic origin. Leukaemic children had a significantly smaller head circumference than the corresponding control children, but no significant differences in height, weight, anthropometric and syndromologic indices were found. No differences were observed in the frequency of associated major malformations including renal malformations detectable by sonography. The prevalence of minor anomalies was significantly higher in the patients with malignant disease and their sibs than in the control children: 69.2% of the patients, 63.0% of the sibs and 34.6% of the control subjects had at least one minor anomaly. When two and more minor anomalies were considered, the prevalence figures were 36.5%, 29.6% and 12.5%, respectively. Among the single minor anomalies only the Sydney line was significantly more frequent in patients with solid tumours. No specific association of an individual dysplasia or a pattern of minor anomalies with a given tumour could be established.

The Sydney line and the simian line: the incidence in Down's syndrome patients with mental retardation and Japanese controls

The frequencies of the Sydney line and the simian line on the palms of 694 normal Japanese subjects (500 males and 194 females), 180 with Down's syndrome (113 males and 67 females) and 107 with mental retardation (62 males and 45 females) were studied and the following conclusions were obtained: the frequency of the Sydney line tends to be lower in normal Japanese controls than in Australian and North American controls, and the simian line tends to be higher in normal Japanese controls than in Australian and North American controls. Of these two palmar creases, the simian line is more useful in identification of Down's syndrome patients than is the Sydney line in the Japanese population.

Dermatoglyphic patterns in patients with mitral valve prolapse: a clue to pathogenesis

Fingerprints were obtained from 100 patients with mitral valve prolapse and compared with those of 100 control subjects matched for sex and race. Arches were found in 16.8 percent of all digital patterns in patients with mitral valve prolapse but in only 2.5 percent of all digits in the control group. Whereas no patient in the control group had four or more arches, 19 percent of patients with mitral valve prolapse had this finding. In addition, arches were found on 16 and 9 percent, respectively, of digits IV and V in patients with mitral valve prolapse but were not found on these digits in the control group. The finding of four or more arches or arches on digits IV or V may be important supportive evidence of mitral valve prolapse when evaluating patients with atypical chest pain and palpitations. Antenatal factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of mitral valve prolapse since it is possible that a genetic or environmental factor that interferes with the development of the mitral valve may also influence epidermal ridge patterns.

Normal and aberrant palmar creases in twins and siblings

The present study involving MZ and DZ twin pairs, as well as paired normal sibs, was undertaken to investigate further the genetic involvement in the formation of normal palmar crease patterns, as well as simian and Sydney patterns. Two variations of normal creases were investigated: the thenar type R and the distal type I. Both types cluster in families. The R is more frequent in the females. For both types, MZ twins are more concordant than DZ twins or sibs. Sib studies suggest strong genetic involvement in the development of both the R and I crease types. Parents with simian and/or Sydney creases have more children with these traits than offspring of parents without these traits; however, concordance rate comparisons of MZ or DZ twins and sibs do not suggest strong genetic involvement as in the case of the R and I crease types.

Dermatoglyphics of congenital abnormalities without chromosomal aberrations. A review of the clinical applications

This review outlines the dermatoglyphics of congenital abnormalities without chromosomal aberrations. When combined with other clinical features of a particular disease, dermatoglyphics can serve to strengthen a diagnostic impression and may be useful as a screening device to select individuals for additional diagnostic studies.

Dermatoglyphics in children with acute leukaemia

The dermatoglyphics of 135 children with acute leukaemia differed significantly from those of normal controls, and examination of 174 of the patients' first degree relatives indicated that familial factors were involved. The findings suggested that within the racial group studied dermatoglyphics may partly identify a population subgroup which is at increased risk of leukaemogenesis. While these observations may not have immediate clinical application, they are likely to contribute to a greater understanding of individuals who have increased constitutional susceptibility to leukaemia.

Unusual palm creases and unusual children. The Sydney line and "type C" palmar lines and their clinical significance in a child development clinic

Inspection of palm creases should be a routine part of the pediatric physical examination. Any variation in the basic configuration should be cause for concern, irrespective of the age of the child. Is the "nor mal" child with an SPC, SL, or other type C palm really normal? Will time or psychologic evaluation uncover an unsuspected abnormality? An otherwise normal infant with palmar crease abnormalities should be considered at risk of developmental problems appearing later.