Comorbidities among children with intellectual disability presenting for disability certification at a tertiary care center and assessment of burden in mothers of these children

Abstract

Background: Intellectual disability (ID) (ICD-11) is defined as impairment in general mental abilities as well as social adaptability of the individual. It is associated with many physical and behavioral comorbidities as well as sleep problems which contribute to the disability. Living and caring for the person with ID is burdensome. Aims and Objectives: To assess physical, behavioral and sleep problems among children with ID and also assess burden in mothers of these children. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study carried out in tertiary care teaching hospital. Children approaching for disability certification were assessed clinically. Assessment of IQ (Intelligence quotient) and SQ (Social quotient) was done using Seguin form board and Vineland social maturity scale (VSMS) respectively and Diagnosis was made on the basis of ICD-11. Those fitting into the diagnosis of ID and fulfilling the screening criteria were taken into the study along with their mothers. Comorbidities were assessed and burden in the mothers who are the main caregivers was assessed on Zarit burden scale. Results: 72% of the children were males. The mean age of the children was 11.15 yrs. The mean IQ and SQ of children in our study were 43.88 and 45.28 respectively. IQ and SQ were found to be positively correlated. 44% of children were having mild, 36% were moderate, 6% were severe while 14% belonged to the category of profound intellectual disability. Among behavioural problems hyperactivity was the most common problem present in 48% of the children. Sleep problems were also prevalent among these children, bedtime problems being the most common (22%). Majority of mothers of these children reported burden (90%). Conclusion: Children with ID had significant co-morbidities and sleep problems which need to be addressed separately. Higher level of ID is associated with increased severity of burden; it being the maximum in the caregivers of childs with severe to profound ID. Adequate measures to address issues related to caregiver will be very helpful to relieve stress and finally improve care of intellectually disabled children.

Keywords

• behavioral problems
• burden
• caregivers
• intellectual disability