Abstract

PIP: This study identifies the pattern of mental retardation in 291 Nigerian children in Enugu. In 33.99% the etiology of mental retardation was congenital (present at birth), in 43.99% the cause was acquired and in the rest 23.02% no definite cause could be identified. The results, problems of diagnosis and management in relation to Nigeria are discussed. Massive support from the Government for improving the maternal and child welfare services as well as care for the mentally retarded children is solicited. The high % of cases due to birth trauma (23.38%) and severe neonatal jaundice (8.59%) reflects the quality of maternal and child welfare services as well as the obstetric care in the area. Full use of the available services and intensive health education in towns and villages could be most valuable. The increasing association of mental retardation with epilepsy in Nigerian children has been noted in other studies in this hospital. In the present study, epilepsy was found to cause mental retardation in 12.5% of cases in the acquired group and about 5% of the total number of cases. Malnutrition as a cause of defective mental development has been noted by several authors. However, in the present study, malnutrition could not be identified as a primary cause of mental retardation. In the congenital group, the high representation of Down's syundrome is striking. Children with this syndrome make up about 42.71% of the congenital group and 14% of the overall number of mentally retarded. The majority of mothers were over 35 and multiparous. The care of the mentally retarded child in Nigeria leaves much to be desired. Except for a few states, there are no homes or centers for the furthering of these handicapped children. Since the inception of the Pediatric Neurology Clinic in this hospital, efforts have focused on diagnosis and assessment. Some children aged 5-12 years have been referred to a privately-owned Therapeutic Day Center in Enugu for early furthering and play therapy.