Dermatoglyphics in medicine--problems and use in suspected chromosome abnormalities.

Dermatoglyphic findings in patients with chromosome abnormalities are reviewed including the more common aneuploidies and recently recognized deficiency and duplication syndromes. Tables of dermatoglyphic changes are provided to help in the diagnosis of patients with suspected chromosome abnormalities. Finally, problems of dermatoglyphic nomenclature and statistics are considered. It is emphasized that dermatoglyphics should be used in conjunction with the physical examination rather than as an independent diagnostic test.