Sexual dimorphism in digital dermatoglyphic traits among Sinhalese people in Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate gender-wise diversity of digital dermatoglyphic traits in a sample of Sinhalese people in Sri Lanka. FINDINGS: Four thousand and thirty-four digital prints of 434 Sinhalese individuals (217 males and 217 females) were examined for their digital dermatoglyphic pattern distribution. The mean age for the entire group was 23.66 years (standard deviation = 4.93 years). The loop pattern is observed more frequently (n = 2,592, 59.72%) compared to whorl (n = 1,542, 35.53%) and arch (n = 206, 4.75%) in the Sinhalese population. Females (n = 1,274, 58.71%) have a more ulnar loop pattern than males (n = 1,231, 56.73%). The plain whorl pattern is observed more frequently in males (n = 560, 25.81%) compared to females (n = 514, 23.69%).The double loop pattern is observed more frequently on the right and left thumb (digit 1) of both males and females. Pattern intensity index, Dankmeijer index and Furuhata index are higher in males. CONCLUSIONS: Ulnar loop is the most frequently occurring digital dermatoglyphic pattern among the Sinhalese. All pattern indices are higher in males. To some extent, dermatoglyphic patterns of Sinhalese are similar to North Indians and other Caucasoid populations. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to confirm our findings.

Association between digital dermatoglyphics and handedness among Sinhalese in Sri Lanka.

Background The relationship between handedness and digital dermatoglyphic patterns has never been investigated in the Sinhalese population. The goal of this study is to establish the above mentioned relationship, which would positively aid personal identification.  Findings One hundred Sinhalese students (50 right-handed and 50 left-handed) were studied for their digital dermatoglyphic pattern distribution. The results show that a statistically significant correlation exists for digit 3 (P=0.002, Fisher's exact test) of the right hand and digit 1 (P=0.002, Fisher's exact test) and digit 2 (P=0.021, Fisher's exact test) of the left hand. Further, whorl patterns are more common in right-handed than left-handed Sinhalese students. Conclusions  Statistically significant differences in handedness and digital dermatoglyphic patterns were evident among Sinhalese people. Further study with a larger sample size is recommended.

A rare variation of hydranencephaly: case report.

Hydranencephaly is a rare severe abnormality characterized by replacement of cerebral hemisphere with fluid covered by leptomeninges such that absent cerebral cortex. We present the Ultrasonographic diagnosis of a case of fetal Hydranencephaly at 38 weeks of gestation. Sonography revealed the absence of cerebral cortex, thalami and basal ganglia with disrupted falx and preserved posterior fossa structures. This was the first reported case of Hydranencephaly with absence thalami and basal ganglia along with midbrain. Confirmation of diagnosis was made with postnatal computed tomography. Even though it was diagnosed in the late third trimester, it allowed prompt and finest obstetric management which reduced the risk for both fetus and mother. Furthermore it allowed arrangement of optimal conditions for birth at a unit with accessible specialized pediatric facilities.