Psychiatric aspects of a family with a chromosome translocation

The development of the chromosome banding techniques has made possible the detailed analysis of chromosomes and the characterization of new clinical syndromes in patients with minor congenital defects due to minimal chromosomal excess or deficiency. The psychomotor retardation of these syndromes is not as severe and the life expectancy is far longer than in the case of the 'full' chromosome syndromes. It is suspected that a high incidence of behavioral disorders may be found among patients affected with these 'partial' syndromes. A family consisting of a separated mother and her four children, three of them affected with a chromosome translocation is the subject of this report.