Study of the prevalence of hepatitis [B] seromarkers among non institutionalized mentally retarded children

HB[s]Ag and HB[s]Ab were studied in non institutionalized mentally retarded children [29 due to Down's syndrome and 29 due to spastic cerebral palsy]. The prevalence of HB[s]Ag was significantly high in the group of Down's syndrome as compared with the groups of mentally retarded children due to spastic cerebral palsy and control group. This could be explained by the depression in CMI [Cell Mediated Immunity] in cases of Down's syndrome. The prevalence of HB[s]Ab was also significantly high in group of Down's syndrome. The prevalence of HB[s] Ag and HB[s]Ab in mentally retarded children due to spastic cerebral palsy were significantly higher than those in control group