Physical development of primary school-age orphan boys with mental retardation

Mental retardation is considered one of the most common pathologies of children's mental development. Parameters of physical development are actively used as informative markers of health status, social and hygienic well-being both in norm and in various pathologies. At the same time, not enough attention is given to orphans with intellectual disabilities in this context. Aim. To study the parameters of physical development in primary school-age boys with mental retardation brought up in a specialized orphanage. Materials and Methods. 34 Boys (7-11 years old) were examined. Of these, 20 children with a diagnosis of moderate mental retardation (F71) were brought up in a specialized children's home for mentally retarded children (without parental care). The control group included 14 intellectually healthy boys of the same age who were brought up in an orphanage of a physiological type. Anthropometric parameters (body length, body weight, chest and head circumference, cross-section diameter of the chest), ‘sthenia' index, level of physical development, and Quetelet II index were studied. Results. The data obtained indicate a sharp decrease in parameters that characterize physical development of orphan boys with mental retardation in comparison with intellectually healthy orphan boys. Since children were in the same social and hygienic conditions, the identified features may be due to the combined influence of the presence of deviations in the intellectual development of children and upbringing in a residential home. Conclusion. The results obtained determine the need for closer medical and hygienic support for orphans with mental retardation.