Reproduction in a Mongoloid

Abstract

Reproduction in mongoloids is a rarity. Allen and Baroff (1955) cite only four reports prior to 1949 which described such instances and Øster (1953) considered the diagnoses uncertain in two of those reports. At least seven more recent instances have been recorded (Le Long, Borniche, Kreisler, and Baudy, 1949; Sawyer, 1949; Forsmann and Thysell, 1957; Rehn and Thomas, 1957; Schlaug, 1957; Mullins, Estrada, and Gready, 1960; and Hanhart, 1960). In four of those cases the offspring were non-mongoloid and in three, mongoloid. The case described by Rehn and Thomas (op. cit.) is the subject of this report. Because those authors were aware of the present comprehensive study, their diagnoses of mongolism were based on only routine clinical examinations. The purpose in making this investigation was to determine whether or not both the mother and her female offspring were mongoloid. Toward that end the mother and child were examined carefully for the presence of the various stigmata of mongolism. The results of those examinations are presented below. The mother in the present case was living at home when 19 years of age and would probably not have been committed to an institution had she not become pregnant. She was committed with the diagnosis of mongolism and pregnancy three months prior to delivery and remained a patient at the institution until released on home parole a few months following delivery. Her child was committed with a diagnosis of mongolism shortly after birth and has never been away from the institution. Paternity is unknown, though the mother's father has been suspected.

Genetics and Sterility

“…Non mi fermo sulle forme minori e specialmente sulle svariate forme di cariotipo a mosaico ne sulle aneuploidie autosomiche, per esempio sulla sterilita da impotenza nel mongolismo maschile. Per la rara evenienza della riproduzione da parte di femmine mongoloidi rimando al lavoro di Stiles et al (1961). Pero mi sono intrattenuto sulle forme classiche di aneuploidia gonosomica per i seguenti motivi:…”

Down's Syndrome (mongolism): The heritable aspects.

“…The conclusions reached by Kallmann and his associates (Allen & Baroff, 1955;Allen & Kallmann, 1955;Baroff, 1958), based upon the significant difference in concordance rates, could not be corroborated at the time by examination of children born to mongoloid patients. Even today (1962), a generation after the introduction of modern chemotherapy, only 13 children (4 afflicted) are known to have been born to 12 mothers diagnosed as Down's syndrome (Forssman, Lehmann, & Thysell, 1961;Forssman & Thysell, 1957;Hanhart, 1960;Lelong, Borniche, Kreisler, & Baudy, 1949;Levan & Hsu, 1960;Mullins, Estrada, & Gready, 1960;Rehn & Thomas, 1957;Sawyer, 1949;Sawyer & Shatter, 1957;Schlaug, 1957;Stiles & Goodman, 1961;Thuline & Priest, 1961).…”