title: A case-control study of fluctuating dermatoglyphic asymmetry as a risk marker for developmental delay.
abstract: In traits which are normally bilaterally symmetrical, asymmetries may arise as a result of genomic or environmental stress. Such asymmetries are called fluctuating asymmetry. Symmetry is known to be decreased in a variety of disorders of developmental origin, and thus could potentially serve as a risk marker for disorders with a developmental component. We examined this idea by conducting a case-control study of 49 developmentally delayed children and 51 controls. Using two dermatoglyphic characters as a measure of symmetry (finger print concordance and A-B triradial ridge count difference), we found odds ratios of 2.32 (95% CI 0.65-3.17) and 2.11 (95% CI 0.57-3.27); depending on which character was measured. These results suggest that fluctuating asymmetry may have potential as a risk marker for developmental disorders, and that this area of research warrants further research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Naugler
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ludman
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers