Serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides in mental retardation

Two hundred and thirty-four mentally retarded adult patients, 116 female and 118 male, whose ages ranged from 16 to 81 years had their fasting cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations determined whilst their blood was being taken for routine investigations during a seven week period. These values were compared with those of a healthy adult population who were being screened for these values at the same laboratory. The values of both cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were found to be significantly lower in the hospital population. A survey of the diet of the hospital patients failed to account for these low values. No significant difference was found between epileptics and non-epileptics, mongols and non-mongols.