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Predictive Factors of Early Mortality in Children With Developmental Disabilities: A Case-Comparison Analysis

Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management Technion, Israel

Eyal Asor, MD

Institute of Technology, and The Hannah Khoushy Child Development Center Bnai Zion Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel

Emanuel Tirosh, MD

Institute of Technology, and The Hannah Khoushy Child Development Center Bnai Zion Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel, tirosh-e{at}b-zion.org.il

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for early mortality in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Of 1000 children who were sequentially referred to the same child developmental center over the period 1975—1985, 81 children died between the ages of 6 months and 22 years (mean, 8.04 years; 6.1 SD). A group of 81 age-matched children and another group of 81 developmentally and age-matched children also referred to the center served as comparison groups. Following multivariate analysis, low developmental quotient, restricted mobility, assisted feeding, and genetic etiology were risk factors for early mortality when compared to the age-matched group (P < .01). In comparison to the developmentally matched group, restricted mobility, genetic etiology, and hearing deficit were identified as significant risk factors (P < .01). Comprehensive treatment at the child development center was demonstrated to be a significant protective factor (P = .004). Socioeconomic variables were not significant in predicting an increased mortality risk in disabled individuals. In conclusion, in addition to mobility and feeding skills, a genetic etiology and hearing deficit are risk factors for early mortality, whereas socioeconomic variables are not. A comprehensive treatment program was found to be a protective factor.

Key Words: mortality • developmental disabilities

This version was published on May 1, 2008

Journal of Child Neurology, Vol. 23, No. 5, 536-542 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0883073807309795


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