Supernumerary digital flexion creases

Reply to correspondence from Kosztolányi and Méhes “Supernumerary digital flexion creases”

“…The recent correspondence submitted by Kosztolányi and Méhes [2003] describing the prevalence of supernumerary and/or absent digital flexion creases amongst a population of 398 Hungarian children with severe mental retardation is a welcome addition to the literature on this subject. Although this population represents a heterogeneous group of etiologies, it is interesting that the prevalence of this minor anomaly is appreciably higher than what was seen in our clinics here at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (no supernumerary digital flexion creases identified in 250 children referred for various reasons to the genetics practice of one of the authors (I.D.K.)…”

“…However, it does appear to be somewhat consistent with other reported rates in the literature (less than 1% of general population with 5th finger supernumerary digital flexion creases [Komatz et al, 1978], and 7–11% of a control population with distal interphalangeal supernumerary digital flexion creases [DeJong and Platou, 1967; Zizmor, 1973]). However, the supernumerary creases described by Kosztolányi and Méhes [2003] seem to affect multiple digits and are more pronounced than those reported in the studies of DeJong and Platou [1967], and Zizmor [1973]. It is particularly interesting to note that out of the 13 children with supernumerary digital flexion creases identified in Kosztolányi and Méhes [2003] study only 2 (15%) had syndromic diagnoses.…”

“…However, the supernumerary creases described by Kosztolányi and Méhes [2003] seem to affect multiple digits and are more pronounced than those reported in the studies of DeJong and Platou [1967], and Zizmor [1973]. It is particularly interesting to note that out of the 13 children with supernumerary digital flexion creases identified in Kosztolányi and Méhes [2003] study only 2 (15%) had syndromic diagnoses. It would be of interest to know more details of the clinical and cytogenetic evaluations performed on the other 11 children.…”

Relevance of extra digital flexion creases: A study in North India

“…Researchers are trying to elucidate this issue by using animal models as it may be proven beneficial for syndrome identification, in the identification and subsequent prosecution of paedophilic sex crimes [26,27]. Also, the occurrence of excessive digital flexion creases follows a multi-digital fashion and not restricted to occur in any particular digit and can occur in any digit [28]. Thus, it can be suggested that extra digital flexion crease is extremely rare finding in normal healthy individuals.…”

Károly Méhes: Pioneer in the study of minor anomalies. A good and creative friend remembered

“…For clinicians interested in minor anomalies and normal variations, I list here the topics on which Károly and his colleagues published: simian crease [Méhes, 1972]; minor malformations in mentally retarded children [Meggyessy et al, 1980]; preauricular pits [Meggyessy and Méhes, 1982]; association of supernumerary nipples with renal anomalies [Meggyessy and Méhes, 1987; Méhes and Pintér, 1990]; inheritance of acromial dimples [Méhes and Meggyessy, 1987]; morphologic variants in parents of children with malformation syndromes[Méhes and Kosztolányi, 1990]; prevalence of minor anomalies in children with metabolic disorders [Méhes, 1991]; supernumerary digital flexion creases[Kosztolányi and Méhes, 2003]. …”