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Childhood asthma and mental retardation
Insights
This study investigated childhood asthma and mental retardation in 400 outpatients. Results suggest a potential negative correlation, as no asthma cases were found in the mentally retarded group.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood asthma is a common condition.
- Mental retardation affects cognitive development.
- The relationship between asthma and intellectual disability requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if there is a negative correlation between childhood asthma and mental retardation.
- To assess the prevalence of asthma in a cohort of mentally retarded children.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 400 consecutive outpatients at a children's psychiatric research institute was studied.
- Patients were assessed for the presence of childhood asthma and intellectual functioning.
- Data on asthma prevalence in parents was also collected for comparison.
Main Results:
- Out of 400 outpatients, 380 were mentally retarded and 20 were of normal intelligence.
- Only two cases of childhood asthma were identified; neither occurred in the mentally retarded group.
- The prevalence of asthma in the parents of the patients was approximately as expected.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a potential negative correlation between childhood asthma and mental retardation.
- Further research is warranted to confirm this association and explore underlying mechanisms.
Abstract:
Four hundred consecutive outpatients seen at the Children's Psychiatric Research Institute, London, Ont., were investigated to determine whether there is a negative correlation between childhood asthma and mental retardation. Of these, 380 were mentally retarded and 20 were of normal intelligence. Only two cases of childhood asthma were found. One of these had an I.Q. of 108 and the other 78, so that no case of asthma was found in the mentally retarded group. On the basis of a reported prevalence rate for asthma of 1.76%, one would expect six or seven cases among the 400. By contrast, among the approximately 800 parents there were 11 cases of chronic asthma, a figure which is approximately the expected number.