RISK-FACTORS OF MENTAL-RETARDATION IN CHILDREN ATTENDING AN EDUCATIONALLY SUBNORMAL MENTAL SCHOOL IN DAMMAM, SAUDI-ARABIA/

The objective of this case control study was to identify the possible associated risk factors of mild, mental retardation in children. Sixty -nine parents of mildly mentally retarded (MR group) male children and a similar number of matched parents of normal male children (control) were interviewed using a questionnaire. The MR group was found to bel ong to the middle and the lower socioeconomic classes. Histories of ma ternal smoking, skin rash, fever, and less attendance to antenatal cli nics during pregnancy were reported significantly more by mothers of t he MR group (P=0.027, 0.008, 0.027 and 0.0018, respectively). Furtherm ore, these mothers reported more collective occurrence of newborn jaun dice, fever, convulsions, incubator need, and head trauma (P=0.004). M ore consanguineous marriages were found in the control group (73.9%) a s compared to the MR group (59.4%) (P=0.056). A family history of ment al retardation was, however, more in the latter group compared to the former group (P=0.027). The risk of having another mentally retarded m ember in the family was found to be higher if the familial degree of c loseness to the mentally retarded member was more. Well planned health education programs, genetic counseling units, and sufficient antenata l and neonatal services are of prime importance.