Neurological Disorders in Saudi Children at the Al-Majardah General Hospital, Asir Region

Abstract

Over a 20-month period (June 1988 to January 1990), 180 Saudi children with neurological disorders were seen at the Al-Majardah General Hospital, Asir Region. These constituted 7.5% of all the pediatric inpatients and outpatients. More than one-half of the children were under three years of age and 74% were six years and below. In the series, convulsive disorders accounted for 28.9% of cases, followed by cerebral palsy (18.9%), mental retardation (16.7%), infections (9.4%), trauma (8.9%), and disorders of the primary senses (6.7%). In 57% of the children, the lesions were due to acquired and mostly preventable etiological factors whereas approximately 24% of the children suffered from prenatal (congenital) disorders, some of which were also preventable. The need for continued appraisal of the maternal and child care services as well as extension of rehabilitative facilities to handicapped children in rural areas of the Kingdom is highlighted.