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Summary
An account is given of a survey of 42 individuals in Fiji and Tonga with Down's Syndrome. This account comprises a description of physical characteristics including complications, chromosome analysis (in most cases) and in Fiji only, an examination of the social consequences for the family. It is suggested that diagnosis presents special difficulty among the Melanesian Fijians and that this factor accounts for the observed deficit in the number seen who belonged to this racial group.
The study of social consequences did not suggest any pressing need for residential accommodation to be provided for individuals with Down's Syndrome but did show that programmes provided by schools for the intellectually handicapped in Fiji are very much appreciated by parents.