Mortality Rate in Institutionalized Mentally Retarded Children

Seven hundred and eighty-two children, residents in Children's Cottages, Kew, were followed for seven years. Of these, 113 (14.5%) died during this period. The characteristics of the deceased and survivors are compared and the factors predisposing to death are analysed. There was no difference in sex distribution, but there was a correlation between aetiology and death rate, as mortality was higher in categories including children with severe brain damage. Analysis of neurological signs showed that epilepsy without other neurological disease does not influence the mortality significantly, but the combination of motor disorder and epilepsy has the most unfavourable effect. Microcephaly occurred in significantly higher frequency among the deceased; also their mental function was lower, A further factor in mortality was the age on admission: younger children died earlier. The immediate causes of death were, in the majority of cases, diseases of the respiratory tract; the frequency of sudden death was also increased. The results are discussed, and the general inferiority of the deceased is pointed out. The close correlation of motor ability with death and survival is stressed. Some practical conclusions are suggested.