Tuberous sclerosis: a survey of 97 cases. III: Family aspects.

Although tuberous sclerosis is transmitted through a dominant gene, less than half the parents and siblings of the 97 individuals surveyed had received genetic counseling. There was no apparent difference in severity of handicaps in relation to whether the gene was transmitted by the father or the mother. The majority of the sample were mentally retarded, and speech was more affected than gross motor development. Behaviour problems were of more concern to parents than their children's seizures or worries about the future.