Background: mental retardation is a generalized disorder, characterized by significantly impaired cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors with onset before the age of 18 yrs. The mental health of the child affects his physical health and the learning process. Objectives: to study the pattern of mental retardation among mentally retarded children in rural maharashtra. Material & methods: the present study was conducted on 232 mentally retarded children in school for mentally challenged. A detailed study of their health status and etiological factors was recorded on a pre-designed and pre-tested proforma. Setting: school for mentally challenged at sangamner, nasik district in rural maharashtra. Study design: cross sectional study. Statistical analysis: spss statistical software. Results: majority (68.0%) of mentally retarded children were in from the age group 5-9 years. Most (43.0%) of the children had moderate retardation. Down’s syndrome was the commonest clinical syndrome (17.23%) associated with mental retardation. 60.35% children were off springs of consanguineous marriages. Most causes for mental retardation, were unknown or idiopathic (63.8%) and genetic (29.31%). Conclusion: there is need for genetic, premarital counseling and forensic psychiatry to limit problem due to mental retardation.

Key words: Mentally retarded child, consanguineous marriage, intellectual disability, juvenile delinquency