Dermatoglyphic traits in Calpainopathy: A Case Report

Abstract

Calpainopathy is a Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy due to calpain deficiency caused by genetic mutations in CAPN 3 gene. It results in progressive, symmetrical weakness of proximal muscles. Other clinical features include tiptoe walking, difficulty in running, scapular winging, waddling gait, scoliosis, calf hypertrophy and Achilles’ tendon tightness. Dermatoglyphics or the study of skin patterns in hand and feet, can be used to predict the diseases caused by the genetic factors, due to the common ectodermal origin of the skin and the nervous system. This study attempts to observe any characteristic dermatoglyphic findings on the hands of a 24 year old female with Calpainopathy.An electronic flatbed scanner was used to obtain the finger and palm prints which were analysed using the classification given by Cummins and Midlow. It was observed that ulnar loop patterns were the dominant patterns found with the a-b ridge count from 39 to 41 in both the hands. It can be concluded that there is a need of large sample studies to generalize the fiding to this population.