COMPARISON OF RESPIRATORY MORTALITY IN THE PROFOUNDLY MENTALLY RETARDED AND IN THE LESS RETARDED*

Abstract
Autopsy records of 600 profoundly retarded and 405 less retarded were examined for 31 yr at Pacific State Hospital [California, USA]. The profoundly retarded had more respiratory infections at autopsy and more deaths of such infections. Profound retardation was a particularly outstanding risk when in combination with epilepsy, inability to ambulate and developmental cranial anomalies. Non-infectious respiratory morbidity and mortality are more common in the less retarded, apparently because they live longer to develop these complications.

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