# LIFE EXPECTANCY OF MENTALLY RETARDED PEOPLE

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE · 1994 · $298,526

## Abstract

Our previous studies have found that nonmobility, feeding problems, and the
absence of toileting skills are the most potent predictors of mortality
among people with developmental disabilities.  We have also found that some
individuals achieve these skills over time while others do not.  Mortality
rates are very high for the children who do not show gains in basic skills.
Thus, one of our aims is to investigate precursors of these critical skills
for children 0-12 years of age, as well as associated medical problems and
interventions used, which might provide greater insight into who will
survive and who will not.  Among the variables to be examined are: 1)
failure of early developmental sequences such as hand grasp, arm use, etc.,
2) evidence of intelligence and awareness, 3) medical conditions such as
the tendency to aspirate, development of scoliosis, respiratory infections,
etc., 4) interventions, including special care (gastrostomy, ventilator,
etc.), physical therapy, surgery, etc., and 5) placement and family
involvement, including parent's education and socioeconomic status.

A second aim builds on the high mortality rates observed among older
retarded people.  We have verified that individuals with Down syndrome have
elevated mortality rates after 40 years of age and adults who have
experienced declines in mobility, feeding, or toileting skills.  Our second
aim is to determine the precursors of death among older high-risk retarded
people.  We wish to discover what specific medical conditions,
interventions, treatments, occupational therapy, placement, and family
involvement will predispose these individuals to survival vs. death after
age 40.

Both objectives of this project include developing more refined life tables
based on different configurations of predictor variables.  Finally, life
tables and related research on predictors of mortality will continue to be
examined for individuals between 12 to 40 years of age on our large
population of disabled people.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2198162
- **Project number:** 5R01HD021056-07
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MR5QC5FCAVH5
- **Principal Investigator:** RICHARD K EYMAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $298,526
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-02-01 → 1996-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2198162

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2198162, LIFE EXPECTANCY OF MENTALLY RETARDED PEOPLE (5R01HD021056-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2198162. Licensed CC0.

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