Dermatoglyphics findings in intellectual disability children with down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Intellectual disability is a condition, in which mental development is incomplete or hindered, causing the individuals to encounter difficulties in everyday learning. Some of the conditions with intellectual disability can be seen in dermatoglyphics due to the same period formation between fingerprints and the neocortex. This study aims to evaluate the distribution of dermatoglyphics in intellectual disability individuals with Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Materials and Methods: A descriptive study with a cross-sectional approach on children with intellectual disabilities diagnosed with Down syndrome, ASD and ADHD in a special needs school in Palembang. Results: Of all 86 respondents, 31 (36%) had Down syndrome, 30 (34.88%) had ASD and 25 (29.07%) had ADHD. The most commonly found fingerprint patterns in Down syndrome, ASD and ADHD were ulnar loop patterns (80.96%, 59.67% and 46.8%, respectively). The mean pattern Intensity Index values were 11.03 for Down syndrome, 13.06 for ASD and 14.36 for ADHD. The mean Dankmeijer Index values were 3.57 in Down syndrome, 12.07 in ASD and 16 in ADHD. The mean Furuhata Index values were 18.72 in Down syndrome, 107.29 in ASD and 146.22 in ADHD. The angle of axial triradius digital in Down syndrome, ASD and ADHD was mostly on the right and left palm: 3°–65°. Conclusions: The majority of intellectual disability individuals with Down syndrome, ASD and ADHD shared relatively the same dermatoglyphic findings, especially in the fingerprint pattern, yet show differences in some measurements.

Keywords

• attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
• autism spectrum disorder
• dermatoglyphics
• down syndrome
• intellectual disability