PHYSICAL GROWTH IN MENTAL DEFECTIVES: A Study in an Institutionalized Population

摘要: A cross-sectional survey of ten physical measures was carried out on 2,472 institutionalized mentally defective patients. This report gives the results in Caucasian segment numbering 2,027. The means and standard deviations for each measure are shown by sex, age, I.Q. level, diagnostic category. Body weight, crown-heel height, symphysis-heel biacromial diameter, bicristal diameter had smaller dimensions than normal both sexes degree impairment related to deficit. No differences among categories degrees stunting were noted with exception Mongolism which greater other categories. Shortening lower extremities accounted this difference. In contrast, measurements width shoulder pelvic girdles length spine showed mongolism no from remaining literature growth effects experimental brain lesions reviewed. These reports indicate that various known physiologic mechanisms may be involved especially after certain hypothalamic amygdaloid lesions. Further work is needed elucidate effect growth-hormone mechanism. On basis experiments observations human, it concluded way injury produces stunted human unclear. will genetic, nutritional, neurophysiological, endocrine aspects before mechanism can defined.