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U) Headache
The data on childhood headache is sparse and most often related to migra~ne. The
prevalence of headache has been recorded to be 3.5% in ch~ldren (Collin et a1.,1985).
It was observed that by the age of 7 years, 40.0% of children would have experienced
headache and by the age 15,the figure would rise to 75.0%. The frequency increased
w~th age. Gender differences were found in older children aged 10-15 years, glrls
having more headaches than boys (Gascon,1984)
Ik) Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and conaenltal heart disease (CHD)
The incidence of Rheumatic fever and prevalence of RHD show marked variat~on from
one country to another. The Incidence in industrialized countries IS less than 5/1,00,000
population. In developing countries the incidence is likely to reach 100/1,00,000 in
ch~ldren. The prevalence of RHD in various countries is given in Table 5.7(WH0,1988)
The observed prevalence in a study from Delh~ was 0.14% or 1.411,000 (Vash~stha et
a/., 1993). The screening of children of school age for RHD and the creation of registry
for cases detected are essential components of a program for reducing the incidence of
Rheumatic fever (WH0,1988). In a survey from Delhi, the prevalence of CHD was
found to be 5.2/1,000 which was higher than the prevalence rate of RHD (Vashistha et
a1 ,1993a).
[I) Disorders of the eye
Eye diseases are common in school children. In a study from the United States Of
America, the prevalence of ocular disorders in school children was found to be 22.3%.
Refractive error was the commonest among the various eye disorders, being reported