Cytogenetic Studies of Idiopathic Mental Retardation: A Report

A majority of subjects with mental retardation and congenital anomalies cannot be classified under any known malformation syndromes. Major problems in understanding the mechanisms involved in the production of this abnormal phenotype and consequently in providing accurate and informed genetic counseling are therefore challenging. The application of recently developed chromosome banding techniques including the high resolution banding and FISH studies to population surveys has enabled accurate identification of individual chromosomes , specific existence and understanding of various chromosomal aberrations and their association with mental retardation. The present study was carried out to delineate any such chromosomal aberrations and their association in subjects with idiopathic mental retardation, multiple congenital malformations and various syndromes.