DERMATOGLYPHIC PATTERNS IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC CONSTIPATION

Analysis of the fine ridge configurations on the digits of the palms a nd soles (dermatoglyphics) may sometimes help in the diagnoses of cert ain medical disorders. Dermatoglyphic patterns have been reported to b e associated with congenital anomalies, such as congenital heart disea se, duodenal ulcer, abdominal pain, and constipation. The palmar derma toglyphic patterns of 77 children with constipation (39 functional and 38 organic constipation) were recorded. The control group consisted o f 84 children with inguinal hernia. Those patients with at least one a rch identified on any digit of either hand were termed arch positive. There was no significant correlation between arch positivity and const ipation (functional or organic), or inguinal hernia (chi square, P = 0 .9211). Therefore, the presence of palmar arches cannot be used as a s creening device for children with chronic constipation, especially of organic etiology.