DERMATOGLYPHIC CHARACTERISTICS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTOIMMUNE THYROID DISORDERS: FORENSIC DIAGNOSTIC PERSPECTIVES
Keywords:
Dermatoglyphics; autoimmune thyroid disorders; Hashimoto’s thyroiditis; Graves’ disease; forensic diagnostics; pediatric endocrinology.Abstract
Dermatoglyphics, the study of epidermal ridge configurations on the fingers and palms, offers a valuable insight into genetic and developmental influences underlying autoimmune diseases. This paper examines the forensic and clinical relevance of dermatoglyphic traits in children diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disorders, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. Given that ridge patterns are established during early fetal life and remain unchanged thereafter, they serve as lifelong phenotypic markers of genetic susceptibility. Evidence suggests that children with autoimmune thyroid pathology may present specific dermatoglyphic deviations, which could be leveraged for early diagnosis and forensic identification.
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