Accepted for publication 25 May 1994. This is the same trend in developed countries. Neurological disorders, either acute or chronic, constitute a big proportion of the pediatric population attending hospitals. Their impact is heavy on the child, the family and the community.
Neurological disorders do seem to be among the most common childhood ailments in the Middle East.
It is possible that the high degree of consanguinity plays a major role in this. The cases were looked after and followed up by senior general pediatricians. The hospital has good diagnostic and registry facilities. It serves only a rural population with people working mainly on small farms or looking after herds of cattle. It is the only unit in the area that deals with childhood neurological disorders.