Embryonal dermatoglyphics

It is known that there are some noteworthy dermatoglyphic features associated with chromosome aberrations. Thus dermatoglyphic analysis is used widely as an aid in diagnosing chromosomal disorders. The authors have examined 15 human embryos at 22-26 weeks of gestation. The embryos were obtained from women whose pregnancies were terminated after the results of amniocentesis showed them to be with chromosomal aberrations. Prints were obtained from the embryos by the Hollister method. The following parameters were examined: the patterns on finger tips, atd angle measured in degrees, and the locations of the various palm and foot patterns by the Penrose classification. Thirteen of the 15 embryos showed dermatoglyphic deviations that correlated with the cytogenetic diagnosis: 8 were with trisomy 21, 2 with trisomy 18, 2 with trisomy 13, and 1 with karyotype XO. The other one with karyotype XXY did not reveal any unusual patterns. The relevant quantitative analysis is impossible to obtain at this stage of embryonal development. This work shows that human embryos can be used as a diagnostic tool as early as 22 weeks of gestation.