Dermatoglyphic analysis of autistic basque children.

We have analyzed the digital and palmar dermatoglyphics in a sample of autistic children from the Basque Country. The results have been compared with those from a control sample having the same characteristics relative to the ethnic region. We found significant differences between the digital dermatoglyphics of autistic boys and control boys. Autistic children have a higher frequency of transitional radial loops and a lower frequency of dicentric whorls; also the total finger ridge count (TFRC) and radial count are lower in autistic individuals. There were no significant differences in the girls. In palmar dermatoglyphics, autistic girls have a lower frequency of radial loops in the hypothenar area, and the value of the "atd" angle is higher than in control girls. These differences were significant. The a-b interdigital ridge count is significantly lower in autistic boys. Autistic children of both sexes have a higher frequency of aberrant palmar creases. The results obtained in the present study do not contradict the hypothesis that genetic factors may be important in autism of unknown cause.