DERMATOGLYPHIC ANALYSIS OF CHILDREN WITH LEARNING PROBLEMS

Abstract

Dermatoglyphic patterns can only be altered by environmental factors during the 1st and early 2nd trimesters. Since learning disabilities (L.D.) can have a prenatal etiology, it is likely that children with L.D. would have a greater frequency of abnormal dermatoglyphic patterns. In contrast to the children with prenatal factors, those with emotional or situational problems could be expected to have normal dermatoglyphics. Dermatoglyphic analyses were performed on 49 males and 27 females referred to our Evaluation Center for Learning Problems. Numerous dermatoglyphic parameters were studied, and, including the following, the frequency of specific patterns in children with learning problems was significantly greater than the frequency of these patterns in controls. Children with emotional or situational problems had normal dermatoglyphics. Dermatoglyphics may be useful in recognizing children whose L.D. has a prenatal etiology.