title: Prevalence of mental retardation among children in Saudi Arabia.
abstract: This survey determined the prevalence and regional distribution of mental retardation among children in Saudi Arabia. Data were analysed from a population-based national survey conducted during 1996-99, in which 60,630 children aged up to 18 years were screened using IQ tests and questionnaires completed by physicians. The prevalence of mental retardation was 8.9 per 1000 children, a rate similar to that reported in other countries. Moderate or severe retardation was classified in 70.9% of these children. Of the mentally retarded children in the 0-18 years age range, 83.2% were not attending school. Special educational programmes are needed to improve the quality of life of mentally retarded children.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine and King Khalid Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: M A F
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: El-Hazmi
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Al-Swailem
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Al-Mosa
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Al-Jarallah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008423:Maternal Age; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index