INCIDENCE OF SEX CHROMOSOMAL ABNORMALITIES IN MENTALLY SUBNORMAL MALES

The study deals with the results of a sex chromatin survey of all adult males and a chromosome survey of males selected because they were either 6 ft (183 cm) or more in height or were between 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) and 6 ft in height at an English hospital for mentally subnormal and psychiatric cases, in which a high proportion of patients are detained because of behavioural disturbances. In particular, the survey paid attention to the manner of admission and distinguished between men admitted via the Courts under the relevant sections of the British Mental Health Act of 1959 and those admitted informally. Sex chromatin of oral mucosa cells was examined in 917 men, and in 68 men chromosome analysis was conducted. Of the latter 19 were 6 ft or more in height and 49 were between 5 ft 10 in and 6 ft in height. Four of 82 men (4.7%) detained under the Mental Health Act were sex chromatin positive, by comparison with 7 of 824 (0.9%) informally admitted. Chromosome studies showed sex-chromosome aneuploidy in 5 of 19 men of 6 ft or more and in 2 of 49 between 5 ft 10 in and 6 ft. These findings are discussed in the light of other recent information on sex-chromosome aneuploidy, mental subnormality and aberrant behaviour. © 1968 S. Karger AG, Basel.