Study of Comorbidity in Mentally Retarded Children

Abstract

Introduction: Mental retardation is the most disabling among all disabilities with significant consequences for the individual themselves, their families and the society. Co-morbidities in mental Retardation are important for service and treatment planning. Aims: Objective of study to find out prevalence of psychiatric and medical co-morbidities in mentally retarded children and compare occurrence of co-morbidity with degree of mental retardation. Materials and Methods: 100 Patients taken from the outdoor psychiatric department of tertiary care hospital, Co-morbidities assessed by clinical interview, psychological testing ,physical examination and old records of subjects and parents. Results: Among study population 72% subjects found with comorbidity, 54% had psychiatric co-morbidity, 36% were having medical co-morbidity and 10% were having both. Higher prevalence of psychiatric co-morbidity was found among mild and moderate mentally retarded subjects while medical comorbidity was found to be greater in subjects of severe and profound mental retardation. Conclusion: Significant number of subjects with mental retardation has psychiatric and medical co-morbidities. It is important to sensitize psychiatrists, non-psychiatric physicians and all service providers in area of intellectual disability about these co-morbidities to improve health of beneficiaries.