Abstract

A new statistical study on the distribution of mongolism in cities in Illinois, United States, from January 1, 1950 to December 31, 1956, permits us to verify an increasing frequency of this affliction associated with the concentration of fluorine in the drinking water.

This study follows a preceding inquiry on the prevalence of cases of mongolism born before 1950 in the same state.

Such inquiries should not be conducted in other countries without an evaluation of the contribution of fluorine from diet which varies from country to country.

The role of the advanced age of the mother, in the etiology of mongolism, would seem to reflect a slow and progressive accumulation of fluorine in the mother’s body.