Unusual Dermatoglyphics Associated with Major Congenital Malformations

UNUSUAL and unexpected distortions of dermal patterns were first observed in chromosome aberrations.12 These reports stimulated our interest to look for other correlations. In our random screening of abnormal infants we soon became impressed with the high incidence of unusual dermatoglyphies in children with all types of major congenital malformations. Four findings appeared to occur with increased frequency in abnormal infants: simian lines; bilateral distal axial triradii; radial loops on other than the second digit; and a single flexion crease on a digit. These unusual findings occur in normal persons but are relatively rare in the general population.'3 A dermatoglyphic . . .