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Simian crease
Single palmar crease; Transverse palmar crease; Palmar crease
A simian crease is a single line that runs across the palm of the hand. People usually have 3 creases in their palms.
The term "simian crease" is not used much anymore, since it tends to have a negative meaning (the word "simian" refers to a monkey or ape). The crease is usually just referred to as a single palmar crease.
Considerations
Distinct lines that form creases appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The palm usually has 3 of these creases. But sometimes, the creases join together to form just one.
Palmar creases develop while a baby is growing in the womb, usually by the 12th week of gestation .
Gestation
Gestation is the period of time between conception and birth. During this time, the baby grows and develops inside the mother's womb. Gestational ag...
A single palmar crease appears in about 1 out of 30 people. Males are twice as likely as females to have this condition. Some single palmar creases may indicate problems with development and be linked with certain disorders.
Causes
Having a single palmar crease is often normal. However, it may also be associated with various conditions that affect a person's mental and physical growth, including:
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Down syndrome
Down syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.
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Aarskog syndrome
Aarskog syndrome
Aarskog syndrome is a disease that affects a person's height, muscles, skeleton, genitals, and appearance. It is passed down through families (inher...
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Fetal alcohol syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is growth, mental, and physical problems that may occur in a baby when a mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy....
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Trisomy 13
Trisomy 13
Trisomy 13 (also called Patau syndrome) is a genetic disorder in which a person has 3 copies of genetic material from chromosome 13, instead of the u...
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Rubella syndrome
Rubella syndrome
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Turner syndrome
Turner syndrome
Turner syndrome is a rare genetic condition in which a female does not have the usual pair of 2 X chromosomes.
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Klinefelter syndrome
Klinefelter syndrome
Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs in males when they have an extra X chromosome.
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Pseudohypoparathyroidism
Pseudohypoparathyroidism
Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is a genetic disorder in which the body fails to respond to parathyroid hormone. A related condition is hypoparathyro...
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Gonadal dysgenesis
Gonadal dysgenesis
Turner syndrome is a rare genetic condition in which a female does not have the usual pair of 2 X chromosomes.
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Cri du chat syndrome
Cri du chat syndrome
Cri du chat syndrome is a group of symptoms that result from missing a piece of chromosome number 5. The syndrome's name is based on the infant's cr...
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What to Expect at Your Office Visit
An infant with a single palmar crease may have other symptoms and signs that, when taken together, define a specific syndrome or condition. Diagnosis of that condition is based on a family history, medical history, and complete physical exam.
Your health care provider may ask questions such as:
- Is there a family history of Down syndrome or other disorder associated with a single palmar crease?
- Does anyone else in the family have a single palmar crease without other symptoms?
- Did the mother use alcohol while pregnant?
- What other symptoms are present?
Based on the answers to these questions, the medical history, and the results of the physical exam, further testing may be necessary.
References
Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM. The approach to the dysmorphic child. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 50.
Nussbaum RL, McInnes RR, Willard HF. The chromosomal and genomic basis of disease. In: Thompson & Thompson Genetics in Medicine . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 6.
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Simian crease - illustration
There are typically two creases in the palm, but in some people, only one crease is present. A single palmar crease occurs in about 1 out of 30 people, but is also frequently associated with other conditions such as Down syndrome, Aarskog syndrome or fetal alcohol syndrome.
Simian crease
illustration
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Simian crease - illustration
There are typically two creases in the palm, but in some people, only one crease is present. A single palmar crease occurs in about 1 out of 30 people, but is also frequently associated with other conditions such as Down syndrome, Aarskog syndrome or fetal alcohol syndrome.
Simian crease
illustration
Review Date: 4/21/2015
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
