Concepedia

Abstract

1. The family histories of 30 patients with idiopathic developmental retardation were analyzed with respect to pregnancy records of nonaffected female kindred. Comparison was made with data from the family histories of 27 similarly ascertained control patients. 2. The mothers and maternal aunts of retardates were found to have abnormal pregnancy records, i.e., a markedly decreased reproductive rate and increased fetal loss (reproductive failure). Similar findings were not noted in the histories of the maternal grandmothers or other females in the families. 3. The comparison study suggests genetic factors as an influence on reproduction in the maternal families of retardates but their nature remains unknown. 4. The utilization of these findings in clinical genetic counseling is briefly discussed.