Developmental disabilities of children and their health outcomes

Abstract

A study was conducted among 155 mothers of disabled children. The health outcome of disabled children in Bangladesh focuses overall on their health status. The cross sectional study was carried out in Bangladesh Protibondhi foundation and Society for the welfare of the Intellectual disability from august 2014 to March 2015. The analysis shows that age of most of the mothers of disabled children were between 30 and 39 years and the disabled children were their first baby. The mothers who had less than 3 antenatal visits have a great chance of having a developmental disabled child. Among 155 respondents, 27 per cent had autism and 72.9 per cent had other disabilities (Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and intellectual disability). 35.5 per cent blood groups of fathers and mothers of children with developmental disabilities have different positive blood groups. After birth weight of 58.71 per cent baby with developmental disabilities were from 1.00 - 2.00 kg which is a low birth weight. About 70 per cent of mothers have not given exclusive breastfeeding to their disabled child. Only 29 per cent of mothers have given exclusive breastfeeding. There is a significant relationship between having delivery without skilled birth attendants and health outcomes of children. 57.7 per cent mothers with disabilities (Cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and Down syndrome) and 42.3 per cent mothers who had deliveries through non-skilled birth attendants gave birth to autistic babies. 9.1% mothers having history of violence during pregnancy gave birth to autistic babies and 90.9% mothers having history of violence during pregnancy gave birth to babies with other disabilities.

Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 29(1): 55-62, June-2016