Aims and objectives: Dermatoglyphics is the study of fingerprints. Fingerprints are unique for an individual person. This aim of this study was to note if any correlation exists between dermatoglyphics and growth patterns.
Materials and methods: Lateral cephalograms of 100 patients were recorded and traced. Mandibular plane angle was measured according to Steiner's analysis to determine the type of growth pattern and thus separated into two groups (50 in each group): Group I being horizontal growth pattern (HGP) and Group II being vertical growth pattern (VGP). All statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 21.
Results: The ulnar loops in Group II were highest in frequency, and central pocket loops were lowest in frequency in both groups.
Conclusion: Ulnar loops were increased in VGP whereas whorls were increased in HGP. There was absence of central pocket loops in VGP.
Keywords: Dermatoglyphics; growth pattern; ulnar loops; whorls.