Cytogenetic findings in moderate and severe mental handicapped males

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to estimate the frequency of various chromosomal abnormalities among the mentally handicapped males. A cytogenetic study done for 300 males with mental handicap, attending the Genetic Clinic, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, from institutions of the mentally retarded in Alexandria. 71 males [23.7%] has an abnormal karyotypes, 48 [16.0%] had Down syndrome, one [0.3%] had autosomal non-Down syndrome, 7 [2.3%] had structural autosomal aberrations other than Down syndrome [5 unbalanced, 2 balanced], 13 [4.3%] had fragile X-chromosome while, 2 [0.7%] had sex chromosome abnormalities. Chromosomal aberrations are important cause of mental handicap