[Epidemiologic study of multihandicapped children in the north of France]

Abstract

Patients and methods: The files of 440 severely handicapped children in the north of France were studied. These children had severe mental retardation and very poor motricity development. The methods of care and nursing were studied.

Results: Amounts these patients, 40.4% were in medico-social centers, 30% in non-medico-social centers, and 29.4% lived at home with their parents. Only 6% were unknown by the departmental commission of specialized education (CDES). The rate of prevalence of the severely handicapped children from 5 to 19 years in the north of France was 0.7 per thousand.

Conclusions: Results are compared with those from an INSERM study about handicap patients in 14 French counties.