Which disorder might cause rapid changes in fingerprint patterns?

Rapid changes in fingerprint patterns are often caused by conditions that affect the skin's elasticity and structural integrity. Scleroderma, a connective tissue disorder, leads to thickening and hardening of the skin due to excessive collagen deposition. This can result in noticeable alterations in the skin texture and appearance, which includes the fingerprints. As the skin becomes taut and fibrotic, the fingerprint patterns can change, leading to the potential for significant alterations that can be observed over time.

In contrast, conditions like leprosy, acromegaly, and burns do not typically result in rapid changes to fingerprint patterns. Leprosy can affect skin and peripheral nerves but does not generally lead to drastic alterations in fingerprint formation. Acromegaly, characterized by hormonal changes leading to bone and tissue growth, primarily affects features like hands and face over time, rather than the unique ridges of fingerprints directly. Burns can cause scarring, but this typically results in permanent changes rather than rapid fluctuations in the patterns of fingerprints. Thus, scleroderma is the condition most associated with the rapid change in fingerprint patterns due to the underlying pathological changes it induces in the skin.