The influence of maternal haemoglobin level and obstetric hazard on the intelligence of the child

Mortimer, John G.M (1967) The influence of maternal haemoglobin level and obstetric hazard on the intelligence of the child. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The causes of the variation in the intelligence of the population have been classified into two main categories, heredity, over which there it no control, and environment, theoretically it subject to some control. The individual owes his ability to the constant interaction between the innate capability transmitted to him by his parents, and the particular circumstances in which he is born and develops, and to which he tends with varying success to adapt and adjust himself. Burt (1965) has suggested that heredity might account for as much as 75% of the variation in ability, whereas Knobloch and Pasamonick (1959) with the directly opposing view, suggest that all the observable differences in intellectual ability are the result of prenatal damage, the birth process or post-natal conditions. It has been suggested that a reduction in mental retardation will accompany a reduction in perinatal mortality (Clifford 1964). This suggestion is based on the idea that perinatal mortality is the observed portion of the iceberg, and that the submerged and much the larger portion is the subclinical, unrecognized, minimal brain damage which results from adverse prenatal and perinatal factors. Various authorities have listed the principal obstetric factors which are thought to incresss ths likelihood of mental subnormality (Baird, 1960; Richards, 1963; Illingworth, 1964), and it will be the purpose of this work to determine the relative affect of each of these factors, and supporting the theory that their damaging affect is caused by foetal anoxia, to show that a high level of maternal haemoglobin is a protective factor.

• Item Type: Thesis (MD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: G H Taylor
• Keywords: Medicine
• Date of Award: 1967
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1967-73850
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• Last Modified: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/73850