Statistical study on physically and Mentally Handicaped Children

ABSTRACT

A study on physically and mentally handicaped children was carried out by health commttee of korean pediatric Association on August, 1977. 654 children in 5 special children's Institutes in Seoul area were observed and the results obtained were as follows ; 1. 393 out of 654 cases were males and male to female ratio was 6 : 4. The most Common age group in institutes were over 10 years (45.6%). As the age goes young, the number of cases were decreased. 2. 43.7% of all cases were orphans. 3. The most common handicap was cerebral palsy(33.3%). Poliomyelitis(24.0%) and mental retardation (20.0%) were the next and these 3 handicaps were ranged 78.1% of all handicaps. The other less common handicaps were Cong. Anomaly(8.1%), mongolism(4.3%) Tb spine or hip joint(2.1%) and microcephaly(2.0%) in order of frequency. 4. Handicaps originated from acquired and congenital were 37.5% and 15.9% respectively. But the remains were obscure in origin. Cong. Anomaly, mongolism and microcephaly were common causes of congenital origin and poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy and Tb hip or spine were frequently acquired. 5. Only 64 cases(18.0%) of cerebral palsy and mental retardation had Known Causes. These were caused by birth injury(24cases), prematurity, Kern icterus or meningigis. 6. 65.4% of all cases had mentally retardation. 87.2% of cerebral palsy nd 83.0% of congenital anomaly were mentally retarded and all cases with mongolism, microcephaly, hydrocephalus and spina bifida mental retardation. 7. The most common site of congenital anomaly was extremities or joints(47.1%) and multiple anomalies were 28.5% of all anomalies. 8. Less than 6 months of institution were common in paid cases(24.9%) in spite of 5~10 year in institule were common in orphans (28.3%). Even in paid cases, economic stase were very low level.