Evaluation of familial biochemically determined mental retardation in children, with special reference to aminoaciduria.

Abstract

EVERY physician dealing with children sees from time to time cases of mental retardation with odd appearance, unusual physical signs or positive family histories for similar conditions. Some of these are merely accidental combinations of congenital anomalies, and close investigation is required before one can conclude that two siblings have identical diseases. The most common type of genetic mental retardation is undoubtedly, but less often frankly stated to be, the simple familial moron, in which limited intelligence (though rarely of extreme degree) is characteristic of many members of a pedigree such as the "Kallikaks."1 , 2 Such persons probably make up the . . .