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Prenatal and postnatal risk factors for mental retardation among children in Bangladesh

M S Durkin1, N Z Khan, L L Davidson

  • 1Division of Epidemiology, Joseph L Mailman School of Public Health, and GH Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. durkinm@sergievsky.cpmc.columbia.edu

American Journal of Epidemiology
|December 16, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Maternal goiter, postnatal brain infections, and illiteracy are key risk factors for cognitive disabilities in Bangladeshi children. Interventions like iodine supplementation and poverty alleviation are crucial for prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Cognitive disabilities pose a significant public health challenge globally and in developing nations.
  • Identifying risk factors is crucial for effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate prenatal, perinatal, neonatal, and postnatal factors contributing to cognitive disabilities in children aged 2-9 years in Bangladesh.
  • To identify independent predictors for serious and mild cognitive disabilities in rural and urban settings.

Main Methods:

  • A two-phase survey conducted in 1987-1988 involving 10,299 children screened for disabilities.
  • Multivariate analyses were employed to determine significant independent predictors of cognitive disabilities.

Main Results:

  • Maternal goiter and postnatal brain infections were significant predictors of serious mental retardation in both rural and urban areas.
  • Consanguinity and landless agriculture were associated with serious mental retardation in rural areas.
  • Maternal illiteracy, landlessness, pregnancy loss history, and being small for gestational age were risk factors for mild cognitive disabilities.

Conclusions:

  • Iodine supplementation, maternal literacy programs, poverty alleviation, and prevention of brain infections are vital for preventing cognitive disabilities in Bangladesh.
  • Further research is needed to confirm the association between consanguinity and serious cognitive disability.

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