C-Line Termination: A Dermatoglyphic Trait for the Screening of Down’s syndrome Subjects in Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: The C mainline is the ridge that begins as the proximal radiant from tri-radius c and ends on the outer border of the palm. Aim: The study sought to investigate the c-line termination patterns of Down’s syndrome subjects in Nigeria. Methods: The study comprised of 201 subjects. Down’s syndrome subjects were 101 (58 males and 43 females) and control subjects were 100 (65males and 35 females). Down’s syndrome subjects were selected through a convenience sampling method from various special and inclusive schools in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The subjects palm prints patterns were collected and determined using the scanning method according to Oghenemavwe & Osaat (2015). The data were analyzed and tested using Chi-square. C-line termination patterns were grouped into ulnar termination (UT), radial termination (RT), proximal termination (PT), and absent termination (AT). Results: The result revealed that, for both sexes Down’s syndrome subjects have higher percentage of radial termination while control subjects have higher percentage of ulnar termination bilaterally (p<0.05). For male subjects, radial termination was significantly higher in Down’s subjects as compared to control subjects (p<0.05) bilaterally, while for female subjects, radial termination was significantly higher for Down’s syndrome as compared to control subjects (p<0.05) bilaterally. Conclusion: The result revealed significant difference between the c-line termination of Down’s syndrome and Control subjects suggesting that C-line termination especially radial termination may be helpful alongside other traits in screening Down’s syndrome subjects in Nigeria pending further stronger suggestions.