The final report of the 5-year International Pilot Study of Severe Childhood Disability outlines findings concerning the prevalence of severe mental retardation in nine developing countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan (Karachi and Lahore), the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Zambia. The study attempted to determine the feasibility of identifying children with severe mental retardation and other disabling conditions by means of short questionnaires accomplished in a house-to-house survey. The survey was followed by professional examination of children who screened positive and a small random sample of children who screened negative. The professional diagnosis of severe mental retardation was the criterion against which the screening questionnaires were validated. Two screening questionnaires were developed and used at all sites. At each site approximately 1,000 children (ages 3-9) were screened. It was concluded that the short (10 questions) questionnaire was an adequate screening instrument identifying about 10% to 30% of children for more detailed evaluation including virtually all severely mentally retarded children. Recommendations included the further development of professional assessment procedures and the integration of the screening program with rehabilitation or intervention measures. (DB)