Evaluating fluctuating asymmetry in a Brazilian population with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this work was to analyse the levels of dermatoglyphic asymmetry between both parents and individuals with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P) and unaffected control trios. Methods: A case-control analysis was carried out of 51 affected trios (unaffected parents and NSCL/P subjects), and 50 unaffected control trios. Finger and palm prints were taken from each participant, and dermatoglyphic patterns, the number of lines on the digits, and the palmar angles were recorded. To determine the level of fluctuating asymmetry the case group was compared with the control group, significance accepted at p £ 0.05. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the atd angles (angle between the lines triradii a and t and triradii t and d) of fathers of those affected by NSCL/P, and the dermatoglyphic patterns of the affected mothers, with significantly more arches in the control group. However, in this study, multiple comparisons were used, and the results must be evaluated as initial findings and evaluated carefully since the significance disappears after correction for multiple comparisons. Other parameters did not differ between groups. There was no difference in parameters among patients affected by NSCL/P. Conclusions: Based on these results it is speculated that the mechanisms responsible for the formation of NSCL/P may be associated with those responsible for deviations in the asymmetry of the atd angles in the fathers and dermatoglyphic patterns of the mothers of affected patients. Besides, further studies are required to determine the real relationship between these conditions.

Individuals with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts have increased asymmetry of fingerprint patterns

“…Because there exists an embryological overlap in the chronologies of the formation of the lip and palate in utero (4th-9th week) [11,12] and dermatoglyphics (6th-24th week) [13][14][15][16], numerous studies have examined dermatoglyphic traits in nonsyndromic clefting in multiple populations. Many have reported altered frequencies of dermatoglyphic patterns [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] or increased pattern asymmetry [22,24,27,28,[31][32][33][34][35][36] between cleft cases, unaffected relatives, and/or controls. However, results have been inconsistent, with other studies reporting no dermatoglyphic differences in individuals with orofacial clefts [37][38][39][40][41].…”