The results of chromosome examinations in an institution for mental retardates in the Cape Province.

The chromosomal status of 720 patients in a large hospital for mental retardates in the Cape Province is reported. Chromosomes 21 and X were involved in 127 and 7 patients respectively, while other autosomes were implicated in 14 patients. Chromosomes abnormalities were therefore noted in 20,5% of patients. Details are given of the ages and sexes of the patients and of the structural chromosome anomalies.