Team Herald
PANJIM: At least one in eight children in the State of Goa have been detected with neuro-developmental disorders, as per a pan-India study conducted by NGO Sangath in partnership with the INCLEN Trust, New Delhi; Goa Medical College and the Matruchhaya Seva Trust.
In a sample survey across Tiswadi, Bardez and Pernem talukas covering 25 villages in the State; the teams screened 493 children, aged 2-9 years and found that one in eight children have at least one of nine neuro developmental disorder. The researchers during its survey from January to April 2012 assessed children for vision impairment, epilepsy, neuromotor impairments including cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, speech and language disorders, autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and specific learning disability.
As per information shared with the media, Sangath stated that the findings were pooled with findings from similarly conducted surveys in Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, Hyderabad, Dhenkanal in Odisha and Palwal in Haryana. These sites were identified to represent diverse geographical areas and populations.
“Our study identifies neuro developmental disorder in children aged 2-9 years as a significant public health burden for India,” said Dr Gauri Divan, a paediatrician from Sangath who worked on the research.
In its country-wide research, it was also found that the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder of just over one percent was comparable to that of research conducted globally. Hearing Impairment and Intellectual Disability were the most common disorders. The findings also highlight that about one-fifth, or about 790 of the 3,964 children assessed, had two or more NDDs.
“Our data suggests that this burden can be reduced in India by addressing the risk factors such as low birth weight, premature delivery, neurological/brain infections among others,” said Dr Divan adding, “This is a landmark study by the consortium involving Sangath as it quantifies in a systematic manner the actual numbers of children with disabilities in India. By the estimate of this study one in every eight children will have a neuro-developmental disability. This is a call to policy to develop identification and intervention services to meet the needs of these children.”
Responding to Herald’s query if such children in Goa were provided the required treatment, Sangath’s official in Goa stated that the survey was essentially to determine the numbers impacted by the disorder however all children were referred to the department of paediatrics in the GMC.
