Dermatoglyphics as a Novel Method for Assessing Intelligence Quotient in Children Aged 5–11 Years: A Cross-sectional Study

AIM: To measure the IQ and record dermatoglyphic patterns of children including intellectually disabled aged between 5 years and 11 years and to correlate them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted in two private schools in the city corporation limits. A total of 300 children aged between 5 years and 11 years were equally allocated into three groups based on IQ using covariate adaptive randomization. IQ of the children was measured using Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices. Bilateral palmar and finger prints were obtained on A4-size papers by ink method using rolling technique. Prints thus obtained were analyzed for dermatoglyphic variables using magnification lens and are read based on Cummins and Midlo classification for fingertip patterns and Bali and Chaube classification for palmar flexion creases. The data were entered and statistically analyzed. For statistical significance, a two-tailed probability value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: The current study suggests a relationship between different fingertip patterns of digits of I, II, III, and IV of left and right hand and also digit V of right hand with various levels of IQ. CONCLUSION: Hence, dermatoglyphics can be considered as a preliminary noninvasive approach for the determination of IQ. Also, it plays an imperative role, especially in distinguishing genetic intellectual disabilities. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Tharay N, Nirmala SVSG, Bavikati VN, et al. Dermatoglyphics as a Novel Method for Assessing Intelligence Quotient in Children Aged 5–11 Years: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(4):355–360.