Help For Parents

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31831, 8 November 1968, Page 2

Help For Parents

(N.Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Nov. 7. A medical research project based at Otago University has made it possible for parents of mongoloid babies throughout New Zealand to be advised on the chances of their having other handicapped children.

The research analyses the chromosomes of mongoloid children to determine the presence or absence of a heredity factor. Such analysis also helps to predict the future physical and mental development of a mongoloid child. Blood samples have Deen taken from hundreds of mongoloid children in hospitals and private homes throughout New Zealand. These are then made into special test-tube cultures which are sent for final analysis to an expert in Dunedin.

The expert is Professor A. M. 0. Veale, head of the human genetics department at Otago University. Only 10 Per Cent

Professor Veale said today his research so far had revealed that only about 10 per cent of all mongolcid children had inherited the condition from their parents. Parents of mongoloid children would not necessarily know of any history of the condition in their family because it could “lie dormant" for several generations. He said his research had also made possible an advisory service to parents who were anxious to know how a mongoloid child would develop physically and mentally in future years.