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[Mortality patterns of non-institutionalized severely retarded children in Tokyo]
1Division of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital for Mental, Nervous, and Muscular Disorders, Tokyo.
Insights
Mortality in severely retarded children at home in Tokyo was studied. Respiratory infections were the leading cause of death, accounting for 38% of fatalities in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Disability Studies
Context:
- Investigated mortality patterns in severely retarded children receiving home care in Tokyo.
- Identified 67 physically handicapped children who died between 1988-1989 at specialized schools.
- Defined severely retarded children as those unable to walk or with IQs below 35.
Purpose:
- To analyze the causes of mortality in severely retarded children.
- To determine the case-fatality rate within this population.
- To identify primary health risks and contributing factors to death.
Summary:
- The study identified 42 severely retarded children among 67 deceased physically handicapped children.
- The annual case-fatality rate for severely retarded children was 2.5%.
- Respiratory tract infections were the primary cause of death (38%), followed by other respiratory conditions (29%).
Impact:
- Highlights the significant risk of respiratory diseases in severely retarded children.
- Informs public health strategies for managing health conditions in intellectually disabled children.
- Provides data for improving care and preventative measures for vulnerable pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Mortality patterns of severely retarded children who were cared at their homes in Tokyo were investigated. We identified sixty-seven physically handicapped children who died in 1988 and 1989 at 15 schools for such children. 42 children out of 67 were severely retarded (children who neither walk nor have IQs over 35). Annual case-fatality rate of severely retarded children was 2.5%. Respiratory tract infections accounted for 38% of the causes of severely retarded children and other respiratory tract diseases such as aspiration and complications of tracheotomy accounted for 29%.