title: On the variability of "flexion creases" in the distal plantar areas of newborns.
abstract: The plantae of 83 male and 95 female healthy, full-term Caucasian newborns from Austria (gestational age 235-301 days) were photographed and the flexion creases in the distal part were examined. Analysis of the creases was done under four different aspects, the main evaluation based on a scheme of nine creases introduced by Schenk and Patzer (1959). Two transversal (No. 1 and No. 9) and three longitudinal (Nos. 3, 6, and 7) creases are always or predominantly present, a finding corresponding with the data of Schenk on 52 male and 48 female newborns from Germany. In addition, the nine plantar creases were evaluated according to six degrees of expression, and some typical cease combinations are shown. Bilateral and bisexual similarity prevails. The results of this study might serve investigations of different populations and of medical disorders.
mesh_terms: D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors