Immigration Delay Disease

Immigration Delay Disease is the somewhat jocular name of a genetic disorder called adermatoglyphia. This is an extremely rare genetic disorder that prevents the development of fingerprints. Just five extended families worldwide are known to be affected by this condition.

Adermatoglyphia - from Ancient Greek a- (ἀ-) 'not' + dérma (δέρμα) 'skin' + gluphḗ (γλυφή) 'carving' - is the absence of ridges on the skin on the pads of the fingers and toes, as well as on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The patterns of these ridges (called dermatoglyphs) form whorls, arches, and loops that are the basis for each person's unique fingerprints. Because no two people have the same patterns, fingerprints have long been used as a way to identify individuals.

The name 'Immigration Delay Disease' was coined by Professor Peter Itin, a Dermatologist, based in Basel (Switzerland), after his first patient had trouble traveling into the U.S. without any fingerprints for identification.

In 2010 an isolated finding was published regarding the description of a person from Switzerland who lacked fingerprints[1]. The heterozygous expression of the mutation suggests an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. The Swiss patient, and eight of her relatives who also had the mutation, all had 'flat finger pads and a reduced number of sweat glands in the hands'.

The medical condition and the 2007 Swiss medical case are both mentioned in the episode entitled "She Was Murdered Twice" (Series 4, Episode 7) of the television series Death in Paradise.

[1] Burger et al: The immigration delay disease: Adermatoglyphia–inherited absence of epidermal ridges in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology - 2010