http://www.sid.ir/en/VEWSSID/J /92320090310.
Iran J Pediatr
Sep 2009; Vol 19 (No 3), Pp:277-284
Original Article
Association between Finger Patterns of Digit II and
Intelligence Quotient Level in Adolescents
D
Mostaf Najafi, MD
Department of Psychiatry, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, )R )ran
SI
Received: Aug 31, 2008; Final Revision: Feb 24, 2009; Accepted: Apr 24, 2009
Abstract
of
Objective: This study aimed at assessing the putative association between the fingertip
patterns of right and left digits )) and intellectual functioning.
ive
Methods: The study involves the evaluation of dermatoglyphic patterns on right and left digits
normal individuals and subjects with learning
talented ones,
adolescents
)) in
disabilities from the Shahrekord city in )ran. Comparisons between the frequencies of
fingerprint patterns of each digit were made on the basis of two groups at a time employing
Chi‐square test.
Ar
ch
Findings: The most frequent dermatoglyphic pattern was whorl on both fingers in the groups.
An observation of right digit )) revealed that the normal adolescents in comparison to the
talented ones had a greater number of the whorl patterns P= . , while the latter had more
ulnar loops than the former P= . . Group comprising those with learning disabilities had
more ulnar loops than the group composed of the normal adolescents P= . , and there was a
predominance of radial loops among the talented subjects as opposed to those among the
. There was no significant association in the
individuals with learning disabilities P= .
relative frequencies of different finger patterns on left digit )) between the groups P> . .
Conclusion: Our results support an association between some dermatoglyphic patterns
observed on right digit )) with )Q level in adolescents. Further researches, needless to say,
especially employing various quantitative dermatoglyphic indices and larger‐sized samples are
recommended.
Iranian Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 19 (Number 3), September 2009, Pages: 277284
Key Words: Dermatoglyphic patterns; Fingerprints; Second digits; )Q level; )ntelligence
quotient; Adolescents
* Corresponding Author;
Address: Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
E-mail: najafimostafa@gmail.com
©
by Center of Excellence for Pediatrics, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, All rights reserved.
www.SID.ir
Finger patterns of digit II & IQ level; M Najafi
278
Tornjova[ ], Mavaluava and Tysiaczny[ ],
Tirosh[ ], Kodama[ ], (artin and Barry[ ],
Tay[ ], Dar[ ], Kharitonov[ ] and finally
Bandyopadhyay[ ] have demonstrated that
dermatoglyphics may offer us new insights
into mental characteristics. Table presents a
summary of the previous researches. To sum
up, this study sought to study the putative
correlation of digital dermatoglyphic patterns
with )Q level.
Introduction
Ar
ch
ive
of
SI
D
)ntelligence quotient )Q level has a very
significant effect on individuals and on society.
)ndividuals with low )Q level will have
difficulties in thinking, acquisition and
processing of new information and
knowledge, hence their requiring additional
care, education and medical services. )n some
cases, affected individuals will never achieve
personal independence, and the need for care
will persist throughout their lifetime. This
condition is more than % prenatal in origin
[ ].
Subjects and Methods
Dermatoglyphics finger prints , also
known as "epidermal ridge configurations" are Study Sample: To carry out this
the characteristics of the ridged skin on the anthropological study, we utilized cluster
fingertips, palms, toes and soles of primates sampling method and randomly selected
including human beings and some other adolescents from schools for talented students
mammals [ ]. They consist of the alignment of
, those for normal adolescents
n=
the sweat glands' pores and are shaped in the
and the ones for individuals with
n=
first trimester of gestation between the tenth learning disabilities n= in the Shahrekord
and eighteenth weeks of gestation [ ]. Figure ) city, )ran in the year
.
illustrates the shapes of digital pattern Group definition: )ndividuals were divided
types[ ].
into groups with different )Q level. The task
Dermal ridges complete their development was performed using Raven's Progressive
in about the th week of fetal life[ ]. After that Matrices, a non verbal intelligence and
they remain unchanged except for an increase executive function test, whose validity has
in size in parallel with general growth[ ]. been previously confirmed [ ]. (igher scores
Dermatoglyphic alterations may be the result indicate higher )Q in subjects. )ndividuals who
of early prenatal disturbances, which are had )Q scores above
and below
, ‐
thought to be implicated in the etiology of were considered as group talented
learning disabilities. Some previous studies by individuals , group normal adolescents
Rosa et al[ ], Chakraborty et al[ ], Weinstein et and group
subjects with learning
al[ ], Cvjeticanin et al [ ], Gutierrez et al [ ],
disabilities , respectively.
Fig 1: Shapes of digital pattern types
www.SID.ir
Iran J Pediatr; Vol 19 (No 3); Sep 2009
279
Table 1: A summary of previous researches investigating dermatoglyphic in some mental or
psychological statuses
subjects
Dermatoglyphic variables
result
Reference
Subjects with idiopathic
learning disabilities
****
****
Rosa et al
The group with schizotypal personality
disorder showed more dermatoglyphic
asymmetries than the normal comparison
group.
Weinstein et
al
Subjects with bipolar mood Epidermal ridges and the patterns
formed by them were studied.
disorder, controls
Eighteen variables of epidermal ridge
Children with central
count were examined: ten on the
nervous system lesion and fingers of the either hand, and four on
controls
either palm, and on a‐b, b‐c and c‐d
triradii, at atd angle.
Statistically significant differences were
found for five variables in the group of
patients with severe lesion, ie on the second Cvjeticanin
finger of the right hand, between a‐b and b‐ et al
c triradii of the right palm, and between a‐b
and c‐d triradii of the left palm.
D
Subjects with schizotypal
personality disorder or
****
other personality disorders
and controls
The radial loops increased in bipolar mood Chakraborty
disorder
et al
Gutierrez et
al
****
****
Mavaluava
& Tysiaczny
The incidence of inv p q in the
patients was . times higher than that in
the general Japanese population.
Kodama
of
SI
Assessment of congenital
Dermatoglyphic malformations ridge
dissociation RD , abnormal features Bipolar cases showed a significant
Patients with chronic
AF , two metric dermatoglyphic
predominance of RD and AF when
bipolar illness and controls
traits [total finger ridge count TFRC compared with controls
and total a‐b ridge count TABRC ]
were carried out.
****
ch
Mentally retarded subjects ****
ive
Children with visual,
Relative frequencies of the pattern
auditory or mental
types on the digits were recorded.
insufficiencies and controls
Ar
Several dermatoglyphic
characteristics, including simian
Patients with severe mental
creases, fingertip patterns, mean a‐b
and physical handicaps and
ridge count, thenar/first interdigital
controls
pattern, hypothenar pattern and
hallucal pattern were observed.
Significant differences were observed in the
Tornjova
relative frequencies of the pattern types on
the second and fourth digits.
A statistically significant relationship was
demonstrated between unusual dermato‐
glyphics and mental retardation, multiple Tivosh
hair whorls and more than two dysmorphic
features.
The distribution of dermal patterns
Significant differences were found between
Autistic children, retarded
and ridge line disruption were studied the autistic and normal children in the
(artin and
children and normal
and a total mean ridge count was
distribution of dermal patterns and ridge Barry
children
performed.
line disruption.
Subjects suffering from
febrile convulsion
****
****
There were more transversal sulci but less
symmetry in digital patterns in the group Kharitonov
comprising epileptic patients compared to et al
that composed of normal individuals.
Children with psychomotor A dermatoglyphic and palmar crease
retardation and controls
analysis was carried out.
Patients with seizure
Mentally retarded subjects ****
Certain unusual features were found to be
twice as common in the retarded children
****
Tay
****
Dar et al.
Bandyopad‐
yay
www.SID.ir
Finger patterns of digit II & IQ level; M Najafi
280
groups being compared to each other at a
time. The analysis was carried out with the
statistical package SPSS for windows.
Findings
SI
D
Participants: Drawing on the results of
Raven's Progressive Matrices, we categorized
adolescents as talented
and
,
subjects, normal individuals and those with
learning disabilities respectively. The
distribution of age and sex is presented in
table , and the )Q levels of the subjects at
different sampling locations are demonstrated
in table .
Digital Pattern Types: Table presents the
relative frequencies of digital patterns on right
and left digits )) between the groups. The
range of variation was from % to . % for
arches; from . % to . % for radial loops;
from . % to . % for ulnar loops and from
. % to . % for whorls. The most frequent
dermatoglyphic pattern in the groups was
whorl on both right and left fingers.
A close study of right digit )) revealed that
the normal adolescents in comparison with
the talented ones possessed a greater number
of the whorl patterns P= . , whereas the
latter had more ulnar loops than the former
P> . . Another comparison between the
group comprising subjects with learning
disabilities and that composed of the normal
adolescents yielded the same difference
P> . , and there was a predominance of
radial loops among the talented subjects when
contrasted to those among the ones with
. There was no
learning disabilities P= .
significant association between the relative
Ar
ch
ive
of
Dermatoglyphic patterns: The different
steps taken in order to obtain fingerprints
were as follows: first, both hands were
° GL , and then a :
cleaned with alcohol
mixture of glycerin and ink was applied to the
tip of the right and left digits. Any excess of
ink was avoided. Finally, the impressions were
collected on writing paper.
were
dermatoglyphics
digital
The
categorized as: arches, radial loops, ulnar
loops and whorls. This standard classification
was based upon Cummins and Midlo[ ]. We
analyzed the finger patterns of digit )) in view
of the fact that Cvjeticanin et al[ ] and Tornjova
et al[ ] recommended digit )) as the best
finger for dermatoglyphic studies for the
detection of any association between
fingerprints and mental statuses Table .
While different observers were recruited in
some previous studies[ , , ], the prints were
analyzed by a single observer in our study so
as to avoid inter‐observer variation. All the
assessments were carried out at the schools
where the subjects were studying. The
examiner of the fingerprints was the staff of
fingerprint department of Shahrekord branch
of the )ranian Police Academy. (e was blind to
the intellectual functioning of the participants.
adolescents
Sample size: Sample size of
in each group seemed to be sufficient to
detect a difference of % between groups in
the relative frequency of each finger pattern
with % power and a % significance level,
by using the formula for the sample size for
comparison of proportions.
Statistical Analysis: )n order to compare the
relative frequencies of the fingerprints of the
right and left digits, we conducted a cross tab
and Chi‐square test between the relative
frequencies of each pattern among the
members of the groups on the basis of two
Male % *
Mean age ± SD *
Table 2: Sex and age distribution of the groups
Group 1
. .
Group 2
. .
* There is a significant difference between sex and age in groups.
Group 3
.
. .
www.SID.ir
Iran J Pediatr; Vol 19 (No 3); Sep 2009
281
Table 3: )Q levels of subjects at different sampling locations
IQ level
>120
Down
the concomitant of trisomy
syndrome , Fragile X syndrome, other
chromosomal disorders such as Angelman
. ‐ , Prader Willi
q
syndrome
ql‐ and Cri‐du‐Chat
syndrome
syndrome p‐ and finally some other X
Coffin‐Lowry
like
syndromes
linked
]
[
syndrome . Some of the above‐mentioned
syndromes have been recognized as having
abnormal dermatoglyphic characteristics.
The dermal ridges are thought to be related
to fetal development[ ], which in part includes
the development of the central nervous
fetal
during
Furthermore,
system.
development, dermal ridges are influenced by
such factors as maternal psychological stress,
anticonvulsants[ ] or alcohol[ ] ingested by
the pregnant mother. Therefore, it can be
concluded that dermatoglyphic may be
different in adolescents with various )Q level.
of
Discussion
Ar
ch
ive
Lack of any correlation between fingerprint
and intelligence was the null hypothesis of
our study. As a result, this study sought to rule
out the hypothesis by detecting differences
between the relative frequencies of finger
patterns between the groups of adolescents
enjoying different levels of )Q. Support for this
correlation came from the observations that a
significant proportion of learning difficulties is
Group
n=
Group
n=
Group
n=
frequencies of different finger patterns on left
digit )) between the groups P> . , nor was
there any significant association between the
frequencies of each pattern among the males
and females P> . as determined by Chi‐
square test.
Total
D
Sep 2009; Vol 19 (No 3), Pp:277-284
Original Article
Association between Finger Patterns of Digit II and
Intelligence Quotient Level in Adolescents
D
Mostaf Najafi, MD
Department of Psychiatry, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, )R )ran
SI
Received: Aug 31, 2008; Final Revision: Feb 24, 2009; Accepted: Apr 24, 2009
Abstract
of
Objective: This study aimed at assessing the putative association between the fingertip
patterns of right and left digits )) and intellectual functioning.
ive
Methods: The study involves the evaluation of dermatoglyphic patterns on right and left digits
normal individuals and subjects with learning
talented ones,
adolescents
)) in
disabilities from the Shahrekord city in )ran. Comparisons between the frequencies of
fingerprint patterns of each digit were made on the basis of two groups at a time employing
Chi‐square test.
Ar
ch
Findings: The most frequent dermatoglyphic pattern was whorl on both fingers in the groups.
An observation of right digit )) revealed that the normal adolescents in comparison to the
talented ones had a greater number of the whorl patterns P= . , while the latter had more
ulnar loops than the former P= . . Group comprising those with learning disabilities had
more ulnar loops than the group composed of the normal adolescents P= . , and there was a
predominance of radial loops among the talented subjects as opposed to those among the
. There was no significant association in the
individuals with learning disabilities P= .
relative frequencies of different finger patterns on left digit )) between the groups P> . .
Conclusion: Our results support an association between some dermatoglyphic patterns
observed on right digit )) with )Q level in adolescents. Further researches, needless to say,
especially employing various quantitative dermatoglyphic indices and larger‐sized samples are
recommended.
Iranian Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 19 (Number 3), September 2009, Pages: 277284
Key Words: Dermatoglyphic patterns; Fingerprints; Second digits; )Q level; )ntelligence
quotient; Adolescents
* Corresponding Author;
Address: Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
E-mail: najafimostafa@gmail.com
©
by Center of Excellence for Pediatrics, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, All rights reserved.
www.SID.ir
Finger patterns of digit II & IQ level; M Najafi
278
Tornjova[ ], Mavaluava and Tysiaczny[ ],
Tirosh[ ], Kodama[ ], (artin and Barry[ ],
Tay[ ], Dar[ ], Kharitonov[ ] and finally
Bandyopadhyay[ ] have demonstrated that
dermatoglyphics may offer us new insights
into mental characteristics. Table presents a
summary of the previous researches. To sum
up, this study sought to study the putative
correlation of digital dermatoglyphic patterns
with )Q level.
Introduction
Ar
ch
ive
of
SI
D
)ntelligence quotient )Q level has a very
significant effect on individuals and on society.
)ndividuals with low )Q level will have
difficulties in thinking, acquisition and
processing of new information and
knowledge, hence their requiring additional
care, education and medical services. )n some
cases, affected individuals will never achieve
personal independence, and the need for care
will persist throughout their lifetime. This
condition is more than % prenatal in origin
[ ].
Subjects and Methods
Dermatoglyphics finger prints , also
known as "epidermal ridge configurations" are Study Sample: To carry out this
the characteristics of the ridged skin on the anthropological study, we utilized cluster
fingertips, palms, toes and soles of primates sampling method and randomly selected
including human beings and some other adolescents from schools for talented students
mammals [ ]. They consist of the alignment of
, those for normal adolescents
n=
the sweat glands' pores and are shaped in the
and the ones for individuals with
n=
first trimester of gestation between the tenth learning disabilities n= in the Shahrekord
and eighteenth weeks of gestation [ ]. Figure ) city, )ran in the year
.
illustrates the shapes of digital pattern Group definition: )ndividuals were divided
types[ ].
into groups with different )Q level. The task
Dermal ridges complete their development was performed using Raven's Progressive
in about the th week of fetal life[ ]. After that Matrices, a non verbal intelligence and
they remain unchanged except for an increase executive function test, whose validity has
in size in parallel with general growth[ ]. been previously confirmed [ ]. (igher scores
Dermatoglyphic alterations may be the result indicate higher )Q in subjects. )ndividuals who
of early prenatal disturbances, which are had )Q scores above
and below
, ‐
thought to be implicated in the etiology of were considered as group talented
learning disabilities. Some previous studies by individuals , group normal adolescents
Rosa et al[ ], Chakraborty et al[ ], Weinstein et and group
subjects with learning
al[ ], Cvjeticanin et al [ ], Gutierrez et al [ ],
disabilities , respectively.
Fig 1: Shapes of digital pattern types
www.SID.ir
Iran J Pediatr; Vol 19 (No 3); Sep 2009
279
Table 1: A summary of previous researches investigating dermatoglyphic in some mental or
psychological statuses
subjects
Dermatoglyphic variables
result
Reference
Subjects with idiopathic
learning disabilities
****
****
Rosa et al
The group with schizotypal personality
disorder showed more dermatoglyphic
asymmetries than the normal comparison
group.
Weinstein et
al
Subjects with bipolar mood Epidermal ridges and the patterns
formed by them were studied.
disorder, controls
Eighteen variables of epidermal ridge
Children with central
count were examined: ten on the
nervous system lesion and fingers of the either hand, and four on
controls
either palm, and on a‐b, b‐c and c‐d
triradii, at atd angle.
Statistically significant differences were
found for five variables in the group of
patients with severe lesion, ie on the second Cvjeticanin
finger of the right hand, between a‐b and b‐ et al
c triradii of the right palm, and between a‐b
and c‐d triradii of the left palm.
D
Subjects with schizotypal
personality disorder or
****
other personality disorders
and controls
The radial loops increased in bipolar mood Chakraborty
disorder
et al
Gutierrez et
al
****
****
Mavaluava
& Tysiaczny
The incidence of inv p q in the
patients was . times higher than that in
the general Japanese population.
Kodama
of
SI
Assessment of congenital
Dermatoglyphic malformations ridge
dissociation RD , abnormal features Bipolar cases showed a significant
Patients with chronic
AF , two metric dermatoglyphic
predominance of RD and AF when
bipolar illness and controls
traits [total finger ridge count TFRC compared with controls
and total a‐b ridge count TABRC ]
were carried out.
****
ch
Mentally retarded subjects ****
ive
Children with visual,
Relative frequencies of the pattern
auditory or mental
types on the digits were recorded.
insufficiencies and controls
Ar
Several dermatoglyphic
characteristics, including simian
Patients with severe mental
creases, fingertip patterns, mean a‐b
and physical handicaps and
ridge count, thenar/first interdigital
controls
pattern, hypothenar pattern and
hallucal pattern were observed.
Significant differences were observed in the
Tornjova
relative frequencies of the pattern types on
the second and fourth digits.
A statistically significant relationship was
demonstrated between unusual dermato‐
glyphics and mental retardation, multiple Tivosh
hair whorls and more than two dysmorphic
features.
The distribution of dermal patterns
Significant differences were found between
Autistic children, retarded
and ridge line disruption were studied the autistic and normal children in the
(artin and
children and normal
and a total mean ridge count was
distribution of dermal patterns and ridge Barry
children
performed.
line disruption.
Subjects suffering from
febrile convulsion
****
****
There were more transversal sulci but less
symmetry in digital patterns in the group Kharitonov
comprising epileptic patients compared to et al
that composed of normal individuals.
Children with psychomotor A dermatoglyphic and palmar crease
retardation and controls
analysis was carried out.
Patients with seizure
Mentally retarded subjects ****
Certain unusual features were found to be
twice as common in the retarded children
****
Tay
****
Dar et al.
Bandyopad‐
yay
www.SID.ir
Finger patterns of digit II & IQ level; M Najafi
280
groups being compared to each other at a
time. The analysis was carried out with the
statistical package SPSS for windows.
Findings
SI
D
Participants: Drawing on the results of
Raven's Progressive Matrices, we categorized
adolescents as talented
and
,
subjects, normal individuals and those with
learning disabilities respectively. The
distribution of age and sex is presented in
table , and the )Q levels of the subjects at
different sampling locations are demonstrated
in table .
Digital Pattern Types: Table presents the
relative frequencies of digital patterns on right
and left digits )) between the groups. The
range of variation was from % to . % for
arches; from . % to . % for radial loops;
from . % to . % for ulnar loops and from
. % to . % for whorls. The most frequent
dermatoglyphic pattern in the groups was
whorl on both right and left fingers.
A close study of right digit )) revealed that
the normal adolescents in comparison with
the talented ones possessed a greater number
of the whorl patterns P= . , whereas the
latter had more ulnar loops than the former
P> . . Another comparison between the
group comprising subjects with learning
disabilities and that composed of the normal
adolescents yielded the same difference
P> . , and there was a predominance of
radial loops among the talented subjects when
contrasted to those among the ones with
. There was no
learning disabilities P= .
significant association between the relative
Ar
ch
ive
of
Dermatoglyphic patterns: The different
steps taken in order to obtain fingerprints
were as follows: first, both hands were
° GL , and then a :
cleaned with alcohol
mixture of glycerin and ink was applied to the
tip of the right and left digits. Any excess of
ink was avoided. Finally, the impressions were
collected on writing paper.
were
dermatoglyphics
digital
The
categorized as: arches, radial loops, ulnar
loops and whorls. This standard classification
was based upon Cummins and Midlo[ ]. We
analyzed the finger patterns of digit )) in view
of the fact that Cvjeticanin et al[ ] and Tornjova
et al[ ] recommended digit )) as the best
finger for dermatoglyphic studies for the
detection of any association between
fingerprints and mental statuses Table .
While different observers were recruited in
some previous studies[ , , ], the prints were
analyzed by a single observer in our study so
as to avoid inter‐observer variation. All the
assessments were carried out at the schools
where the subjects were studying. The
examiner of the fingerprints was the staff of
fingerprint department of Shahrekord branch
of the )ranian Police Academy. (e was blind to
the intellectual functioning of the participants.
adolescents
Sample size: Sample size of
in each group seemed to be sufficient to
detect a difference of % between groups in
the relative frequency of each finger pattern
with % power and a % significance level,
by using the formula for the sample size for
comparison of proportions.
Statistical Analysis: )n order to compare the
relative frequencies of the fingerprints of the
right and left digits, we conducted a cross tab
and Chi‐square test between the relative
frequencies of each pattern among the
members of the groups on the basis of two
Male % *
Mean age ± SD *
Table 2: Sex and age distribution of the groups
Group 1
. .
Group 2
. .
* There is a significant difference between sex and age in groups.
Group 3
.
. .
www.SID.ir
Iran J Pediatr; Vol 19 (No 3); Sep 2009
281
Table 3: )Q levels of subjects at different sampling locations
IQ level
>120
Down
the concomitant of trisomy
syndrome , Fragile X syndrome, other
chromosomal disorders such as Angelman
. ‐ , Prader Willi
q
syndrome
ql‐ and Cri‐du‐Chat
syndrome
syndrome p‐ and finally some other X
Coffin‐Lowry
like
syndromes
linked
]
[
syndrome . Some of the above‐mentioned
syndromes have been recognized as having
abnormal dermatoglyphic characteristics.
The dermal ridges are thought to be related
to fetal development[ ], which in part includes
the development of the central nervous
fetal
during
Furthermore,
system.
development, dermal ridges are influenced by
such factors as maternal psychological stress,
anticonvulsants[ ] or alcohol[ ] ingested by
the pregnant mother. Therefore, it can be
concluded that dermatoglyphic may be
different in adolescents with various )Q level.
of
Discussion
Ar
ch
ive
Lack of any correlation between fingerprint
and intelligence was the null hypothesis of
our study. As a result, this study sought to rule
out the hypothesis by detecting differences
between the relative frequencies of finger
patterns between the groups of adolescents
enjoying different levels of )Q. Support for this
correlation came from the observations that a
significant proportion of learning difficulties is
Group
n=
Group
n=
Group
n=
frequencies of different finger patterns on left
digit )) between the groups P> . , nor was
there any significant association between the
frequencies of each pattern among the males
and females P> . as determined by Chi‐
square test.
Total
D