Quantitative dermatoglyphics in schizophrenia: study of family history subgroups.

Finger and a-b palmar ridge-count dermatoglyphic features were studied in schizophrenics with and without a positive family history of schizophrenia. Associations are reported for low quantitative dermatoglyphic values in schizophrenia. The differences found between the two subgroups of patients support the genetic heterogeneity of schizophrenia and stress the existence of congenital factors when there is no family history, that is, a genetic background.