Dermatoglyphics, fetal growth, and insulin dependent diabetes in children under 5 years.

Examination of dermatoglyphic patterns in 112 diabetic children under 5 years and matched controls found no difference between the groups. Either those developing diabetes under 5 do not experience the same genetic and environmental conditions that influence its development in later life or the dermatoglyphic abnormalities described in later onset insulin dependent diabetes mellitus reflect the vast number of pattern formations available for study, which has inevitably led to some statistically significant associations.