MILD MENTAL RETARDATION IN SWEDISH SCHOOL CHILDREN

ABSTRACT. Hagberg, B., Hagberg, G., Lewerth, A. and Lindberg. U. (Department of Paediatrics II, Östra sjukhuset, Gothenburg, Sweden). Mild mental retardation in Swedish School children. I. Prevalence. Acta Paediatr Scand, 70:441, 1981.In an unselected series of Swedish school children born 1966-70, the prevalence of mild mental retardation, defined as an IQ of 50–70, was determined. A prevalence of 0.4 % was revealed. The findings in this study, supported by recent IQ analyses in other Scandinavian countries, indicate that a true prevalence for the IQ range 50–70 was ascertained. The high average social standard and early social stimulation are put forth as a likely explanation for the low prevalence of mild mental retardation in Swedish preschool and school children.