Dermatoglyphics in Down's syndrome patients of different racial origins.

To investigate whether the phenotypic resemblance of Down's syndrome patients of different racial origins extended to include their dermatoglyphic characteristics, we made comparisons of dermal pattern frequencies on digits, palms, and hallucal areas of white, black and Japanese patients and matched controls. The results showed similarities in frequencies of digital whorls and ulnar loops in patients of all racial groups, of patterns in hallucal, thenar/I, second and third interdigital areas in white and black patients, and of hypothenar patterns and t" triradii in Japanese and black patients. The frequencies of the digital arches and remainder of the palmar configurations in patients of three racial groups showed significant, though often smaller, differences than those found in their controls.