Dermatoglyphics in the rubella syndrome.

Epidermal ridges on hands and feet (dermatoglyphics) develop during the first trimester of gestation and remain unchanged thereafter for life. As the rubella virus has a teratogenic effect during this period, it is postulated that an alteration in dermatoglyphics might be present in rubella-damaged individuals. Analysis of dermatoglyphics in 28 rubella-damaged individuals revealed a higher frequency of whorl patterns, a reduced a-b ridge count, a wider atd angle, a tendency towards more patterns on the palm, and a higher frequency of transitional and simian lines than in normals. This study suggests that dermatoglyphics may serve as a marker of a deleterious intrauterine experience during early gestation.