Palmar Flexion Creases Variants among Nigerians

Abstract

Line formations of the palm (palmar flexion creases) as part of field of dermatoglyphics can be used for non-invasive investigations of congenital abnormalities. Numerous studies have found correlation between line patterns, diseases and psychological conditions. The pattern of palmar flexion creases had been studied in some Caucasian and Asian populations, but not much had been written about sub-saharan Africa populations. Four hundred and thirty five palmar prints of healthy volunteered Nigerians, comprising 259 males and 166 females aged 14 and 70 years were randomly sampled. The prints were taken using the Antonuk’s ink method. Prints were examined for normal variants of flexion creases based on classification defined by Milton and Cummins. Pattern lines A, B and C were the most common patterns among Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups, while lines D to G patterns vary in frequency from 86% to absence of pattern G among Hausa and Igbo ethnic groups. Other variants of extra line pattern on thenar eminence, numerous criss-crossing patterns, double line A and double line B, M pattern type of lines A, B, C and D were found to be present among the ethnic groups. Simian crease pattern: 0.5% on right hand and 0.2% were found to be normal among Nigerians. Normal palmar flexion crease identification based on this study elucidates normal variants lines A to G and other uncommon but normal variants within the Nigeria population.

Key words: Palmar flexion creases, ethnic groups, Nigerians