NONSPECIFIC MENTAL-RETARDATION IN BRITISH-COLUMBIA AS ASCERTAINED THROUGH A REGISTRY

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 87  (5) , 506-513
Abstract
Nonspecific mental retardation (i.e., mental retardation with no known etiology) at all levels of functioning was investigated in the population of British Columbia, with ascertainment through the British Columbia Health Surveillance Registry. The age-specific prevalence of nonspecific retardation for the 15- to 29-yr age group, where ascertainment was best, was 4.4/1000 population at year-end 1978. A minimum incidence of 5.2/1000 male live births and 4.0/1000 female live births was calculated for the 1952-1965 birth cohort. Data on the number of cases associated with either microcephalus, hydrocephalus, epilepsy or cerebral palsy were presented. Many of the cases (73%) with mild mental retardation had no associated disability, whereas only 26.9% of profoundly retarded cases were without any of these conditions. Survival rates varied with respect to the level of mental retardation.

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