Background:Children of people with alcohol dependence (COAs) are at high risk for behavioral and cognitive problems.Aim:Aim of this study was to compare the nature and extent of these problems in children of men with and without alcohol dependence.Materials and Methods:32 children (17 in study group and 15 controls) were evaluated for psychopathology, neurodevelopment, cognitive functioning and family environment. Tools used were: Socio-demographic data sheet, Malin’s Intelligence Scale for Indian Children (MISIC), Child Behavior Checklist, Trail Making Test, Neurodevelopment Scale and the Family Environment Scale.Results:Children of men with alcohol dependence had higher externalizing than internalizing scores. Children of alcohol-dependent fathers had higher scores on the neurodevelopment scale and lower scores on the performance scale of the MISIC than the children in control group. These children also made more errors on the Trail Making Test. The family environment of COAs was characterized by lack of independence for its members, greater perceived control and lack of adequate cultural and intellectual activities.Conclusion:Our findings suggest that children of men with alcohol dependence have difficulties with frontal lobe functions and neurodevelopmental tasks. There are also difficulties in the family, which are related to alcohol consumption by the father.

which patients will understand, and record infor mation which is useful to the patient as well as to professionals. Rather than inhibiting record keeping this would result in an enriched record and improved patient care. Teaching doctors how to write such records should become an important element in undergraduate and postgraduate education and offers a particular challenge to psychiatry. It is a challenge which should be taken up sooner rather than later. BALDRY, M., CHEAL, C., FISHER, B. et al(l986) Giving patients their own records in general practice: experience of patients and staff.

As llving standards improve. life expectancy goes up. In lndla whlch had a life expectancy rate of 35 when we attalned Independence. the Ufe expectancy has gone u p to 6 0 now. If we consider only the rnlddle and upper classes. the life expedancy hovers around 71.At thls moment there are more than 70 million people over the age of six@ of India. Of these. roughly twenty five percent are llkely to have slgnlflcant psychiatric problems. The chlef causes for these are Presldentlal address, 31st Annual Conference, Indian Psychiatric Soclety -South Zone, MANGALORE Prof. & Head of t h Dept. of Psychiaby. St John's Medical College, BANGALORE