1Department of Anatomy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus
2Department of Anatomy, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Uli
3Department of Anatomy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus
*Corresponding Author: Dr. Chijioke Okeke, Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus Contact: +2348030465528 e-mail: okeke.chijioke@yahoo.com
Background:Some genetically determined diseases have been associated with specific patterns of dermatoglyphics and this is useful in early diagnosis and intervention. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether congenital deafness is associated with any peculiar dermatoglyphic pattern in our environment.
Materials and Methods: It was a cross sectional study. The sample included 150 subjects (75 males and 75 females) with congenital deafness and 150 subjects (75 males and 75 females) as control. Fingerprint was obtained by ink method. Digital dermatoglyphic pattern and total ridge count (TRC) were studied.
Results:In both the control and deaf group, the order of occurrence of fingerprint pattern was ulnar loop, whorls, arch and radial loop, in descending order of frequency. This was same in both right and left hands and in both males and females. In males, there was no significant difference in the frequency of fingerprint pattern among the control and deaf group. In females, the deaf group had significantly more arches than the control, and the control group had significantly more radial loops than the deaf group. There was no significant difference in the rest of the patterns in females. In both males and females, the control group had significantly higher TRC than the deaf group. In the control group, males had significantly higher TRC than females, but in the deaf group, males had insignificantly higher TRC than females.
Conclusion:Subjects with congenital deafness had peculiar dermatoglyphic parameters in our environment which is different from control group.
Fingerprint, Dermatoglyphics, Congenital Deafness, South East Nigeria
