DERMATOGLYPHIC PATTERNS IN MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN.

Corresponding Author:
Romi Sadanandan,
The Memphis, 1A, Regency Manor,
Ambala Nagar, Kowdiar P. O.,
Trivandrum-695003,
Kerala, India.
E-mail: drromisuresh@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Mental retardation is a common problem. Almost 3% of the population have an intelligence quotient below 70.

The present study has been undertaken to find out whether there was any definite dermatoglyphic pattern suggestive or diagnostic of idiopathic mental retardation.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

It includes analysis of 100 children with mental retardation and 120 school going children having average intelligence and behaviour. Palmar and finger ridges were taken by Cummins and Midlo ink method. Qualitative and quantitative analysis were done.

100 children with idiopathic mental retardationwere selected from the following institutions-

1. Government institutions for mentally retarded children at Pangappara, Trivandrum.

2. Neurology clinic at S.A.T. Hospital, Trivandrum.

3. Maryon School at Kanaka Nagar, Trivandrum.

Controls were selected from the nearby Government schools.

DESIGN- Descriptive study.

RESULTS

Higher frequency of ulnar loop and arches, lower frequency of whorls were found in mentally retarded male children but lower frequency of ulnar loops and higher frequency of arches and whorls were found in mentally retarded female children. Higher values of total finger ridge count (TFRC), atd angle, and a-b ridge count in both sexes.

CONCLUSION

Idiopathic mental retardation has a strong genetic basis.

KEYWORDS

Dermatoglyphics, Mental Retardation, Total Finger Ridge Count (TFRC), Atd Angle and a-b Ridge Count.