A clinical study of 3005 cases of poliomyelitis in children from rural areas has been done. The trend of age affection i.e. 92.69% below 5 years, still continues, thereby indicating negligible changes in immunisation and sanitation. Amongst orthopaedic defects, polio defects contribute 45.31% again emphasing the urgent need for a preventive programme against polio-myelitis. Due to non availability of diagnostic and treatment facilities, 64.59% children were found to be suffering for an average period of 7.27 years. Analysis of cases according to the level of severity showed that 51% cases without contracture could be prevented from contracture if treatment facilities were made available. This study has pointed out that the management of residual poliomyelitis cases is still a problem in orthopaedics. In planning rehabilitative services, emphasis should be laid on primary prevention of poliomyelitis rather than treatment of residual paralysis by physiotherapy caliper fitting and operations since these facilities cannot be made available in rural areas in the near future.

M. V. Singh

Papers

Proceedings: Mental health in children: education and prevention.