While identical twins have fingerprints that are more alike than those of unrelated individuals, they are still unique1, having formed prenatally by finger position, amniotic fluid dynamics, and chronicity (the number of placentas in multiple pregnancies). There is about 20% random development noise that produces this unique finding even among genetically identical twins.
Fingerprints are a simple metaphor clinicians can use when explaining to patients why “but my twin doesn’t have this” isn’t a reason to dismiss symptoms.
As published in NZ Doctor and Research Review
