An investigation of mental retarded children aged 0-14 in Qinba Mountain areas

    ZHANG Fuª²Chang, LI Ruiª²Lin, GAO Xiaoª²Cai, ZHENG Ziª²Jian, HUANG Shaoª²Ping, SONG Heª²Yi3, XI Heng, LI Fen

    1Institute of Population & Health, Northwest University, Xi¬ðan 710069, China, 2Second Hospital, Xi¬ðan Jiaotong University, Xi¬ðan 710004, China, 3Management College, Xi¬ðan Jiaotong University, Xi¬ðan 710049, China, 4First Hospital, Xi¬ðan Jiaotong University, Xi¬ðan 710061, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To survey the incidence rate, the borderline rate, the severity and pathogenesis of mental retarded (MR) children in Qinba Mountain areas. METHODS: All the children aged 0 ª² 14 in Ningqiang, Zhashui and Ankang areas were divided into three groups by area. The potential MR children were chosen for this study by intelligence screening. IQ test and pathological examination were performed. RESULTS: ¢Ù The incidence rate of the three areas was 3.19% and the borderline rate was 4.41%, totaling 7.60%.¢Ú The incidence rate and the borderline rate increased with age. ¢Û The majority of MR children had mild symptoms and the proportions between borderline, mild and severe symptoms were 5.3 : 2.9 : 1. ¢Ü In this study, the pathogenesis was clear in 36.3% of the MR children while that of 63.7% was not clear. CONCLUSION: The rate of MR is high in these three areas. Study of this kind is of help in the prevention and treatment of MR children in the whole Qinba Mountain areas. ......