Dermatoglyphic fluctuating asymmetry and total a-b ridge count as biomarkers of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome: Analysis in children adopted from Eastern Europe. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Andreu-Fernández, Vicente; Planas, Sabina; Navarro-Tapia, Elisabet; Rosa, Araceli; García-Algar, Oscar
• Is Part Of: Early human development. Volume 143(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: (ARND) Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders -- (ARBD) Alcohol-related birth defects -- (FAS) Foetal alcohol syndrome -- (FASD) Foetal alcohol spectrum Disorder -- (CNS) Central nervous system -- (PAE) Prenatal alcohol exposure -- (DI) Developmental instability -- (ABRC) The a-b ridge count -- (TABRC) Total a-b ridge count -- (ATD) ATD angle -- (TATD) The total ATD angle -- (FA) Fluctuating asymmetry -- (FAABRC) Fluctuating asymmetry from the a-b ridge count -- (FAATD) Fluctuating asymmetry from the ATD angle -- (EEC) Eastern Europe Countries; Dermatoglyphics -- Fluctuating asymmetry -- Palpebral fissure -- Developmental instability -- Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders -- Foetal Alcohol Syndrome; Fetus -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; Prenatal influences -- Periodicals; 612.65
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.104999
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-3782

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Dermatoglyphics, formed mainly during the second trimester of pregnancy have been used as markers of developmental disturbances. The aim of this study was to examine if dermatoglyphic variation in children adopted from Eastern European countries with differential prenatal alcohol exposure, could be associated with diagnosis of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Methods: Total a-b ridge count (TABRC), total ATD angle (TATD), palpebral fissure asymmetry and fluctuating asymmetry of the a-b ridge count (FAABRC ) and ATD angle (FAATD ) were obtained from NO FASD ( n = 40) and FASD ( n = 145; FAS = 54, pFAS = 64; ARND = 13; ARBD = 14) individuals. NO FASD and FASD subgroups were statistically compared for dermatoglyphic variables. Correlations between dermatoglyphics and FASD diagnosis were also performed. Results: TABRC showed significantly higher values in foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS, p = 0.006) and partial FAS (pFAS, p = 0.040) groups compared to NO FASD controls. Similar results were obtained for TATD (FAS, p = 0.015 and pFAS, p = 0.032) compared to controls. Significantly higher values in FAS, pFAS and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders (ARND) groups were observed for FAABRC ( p = 0.034, p = 0.007, p = 0.007 respectively) and for FAATD in FAS group ( p = 0.014) compared to NO FASD. Additionally, FAS group with mean + 2SD in palpebral fissure asymmetry showed statistical significance compared to NO FASD ( p = 0.018). Dermatoglyphic variables also correlated (rho, Spearman) significantly with FASD diagnosis. Conclusion: Dermatoglyphic pattern and FASD are related. The validation of dermatoglyphics as an associated marker with FASD together with the currently diagnostic tools would help clinicians to an early FASD diagnosis in children. Highlights: FAS and pFAS patients exhibit higher values of the dermatoglyphic variables TABRC and ATD angle than control population. Higher levels of fluctuating asymmetry for ABRC and ATD angle indicate developmental instability in children with FASD. Dermatoglyphics are biomarkers of neurodevelopmental damage due to prenatal alcohol exposure.