European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

DERMAL AB-RIDGE COUNT: POSSIBLE MARKER FOR AUTISM

Osaat R. S.*, Didia B. C., Osunwoke E. A., Oladipo G. S. and Victor P. D.

ABSTRACT

Dermatoglyphics as the study of epidermal ridges has been well known for personal identification and recently for the diagnosis of various genetic disorders. The study aimed at evaluating the AB- ridge count (ABRC) of autistic subjects and its use as a possible marker for the diagnosis of autism in Nigeria. A total of 200 subjects were recruited for the study comprising 100 autistic subjects (males = 82, females= 18) and 100 control subjects (males= 65, females = 35). Autistic subjects were selected from special schools in Nigeria while the control subjects were selected from University of Port Harcourt Demonstration Secondary School and its neighbourhood. The data was analysed using Mann-Whitney U test. Results revealed that mean rank of ABRC of autistic subjects and control subjects for both sexes on the right hand was 85.65 and 115.36 respectively. The difference was significant, (p<0.05). The left hand was not significant though lower than controls. While mean rank of ABRC for male autistic and male control subjects on the right hand was 59.17 and 83.58 respectively. The difference was significant (p<0.05) on the right hand but not significant on the left hand. The female autistic subjects were not significantly different from the female control subjects bilaterally, (p>0.05). The results revealed a strong association of ABRC with autism. It suggests dermatoglyphic ab-ridge count can be used as a possible diagnostic marker for the early diagnosis of autism in Nigeria.

Keywords: ABRC, Dermatoglyphics, Diagnosis, Autism, Nigeria.