Study of health status and etiological factors of mentally challenged children in a school for mentally challenged in rural Maharashtra

The mental health of the child affects his physical health and the learningprocess. The present study was conducted to study the health status and etiological factors among 58 mentally challenged children in a school for the mentally challenged at Sangamner. Majority of mentally challenged children (68.0%) were in 5-9 years age group. Most of them had moderate retardation (43.0%). Down’s syndrome (17.23%) was commonest, followed by Fragile X syndrome (6.89%). In 70.68% children no clinical syndrome was associated with mental retardation. 60.35% children were offspring of consanguineous marriages. In 63.8% children the causes for mental retardation were idiopathic, and genetic causes were found in 29.31% children. For mentally challenged children better quality of life should be provided by disability limitation and suitable rehabilitation.KEY WORDS: Mentally challenged; Consanguineous marriage