Comparison of Dermatoglyphic Pattern among Cleft and Noncleft Children: A Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Oral clefts are among the common congenital birth defects with a broad phenotypic gamut. Since the epidermal ridges of the fingers and palms as well as the facial structures like lip, alveolus, and palate are formed from the same embryonic tissues during the same embryonic period, the genetic and environmental factors responsible for causing cleft lip and palate might also affect dermatoglyphic patterns. AIM: Thus, study was undertaken to compare the dermato-glyphic pattern of children with orofacial clefts and normal children and to determine the correlation of dermatoglyphics with orofacial clefts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total study sample consisted of 120 children in the age group of 3 to 16 years being divided into study and control groups. Dermatoglyphic data obtained from both control and study groups were then subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Statistically no significant difference was found in the dermatoglyphic pattern and atd angle for both the groups. CONCLUSION: It was observed that dermatoglyphics in orofacial clefts may not be distinctive. Further, large-scale studies are recommended to confirm the same. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Mayall SS, Chaudhary S, Kaur H, Manuja N, Ravishankar T, Sinha AA. Comparison of Derma-toglyphic Pattern among Cleft and Noncleft Children: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(3):245-249.