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Aim and Background: Autism is a complex disorder in social relations development and its etiology remains unknown. It is still not clear whether the cause is genetic (X-linked) or environmental. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of dermatoglyphic patterns in patients with autism and compare them with their first-degree relatives and controls. Methods and Materials: This case-control study was conducted on 150 patients with autism, 150 individuals in the control group, and 150 first-degree relatives of patients. After obtaining informed consents from the participants, the frequency distribution of fingerprint patterns (including loop, whorl, and arch), finger ridge count (FRC), and secondary creases (SC) were assessed in the three groups. The collected data were analyzed using ANOVA and chi-square tests in SPSS software. Findings: The results showed that the frequency of the loop pattern in the control group (3.79%) was twice that in the group of patients with autism (44%) (P < 0.001). Mean right and left hand FRC in the patients with autism was higher than the other two groups (patients and relatives), while the mean right and left hand SC in these patients was lower than the other two groups and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with autism had reduced loop pattern and increased FRC and reduced SC in both hands compared to the control group. These findings suggest that autism has a genetic background that is intensified by prenatal events and other environmental stressors. Therefore, these templates can be used to detect the percentage of infants born with autism, further measures can be taken for a definitive diagnosis, and treatment can be given from the beginning.

Keywords: Autism, Dermatoglyphic, Finger ridge count, Secondary creases, Genetics

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