Cytogenetic studies in children with learning disability

Aim: Five percent of the public school children in our population have learning disability (LD). The main objective of the present investigation is to analyze the phenotypic and cytogenetic features of children having LD. Materials and methods: Eighty-six children having LD from various parts of Kerala were selected for the present study. Phenotypic data were collected and recorded and cytogenetic analysis was carried out by using peripheral blood. Observation: Phenotypic and cytogenetic analysis in selected samples showed various features of LD. Results: Among the total samples selected for cytogenetic analysis, 26 showed fragile sites in their X chromosome and its percentage of expression is 4-45%. Conclusion: Learning disability can be identified by comparing the results of phenotypic and genotypic analyses.