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Mental Retardation,Causes and preventions during pregnancy



What is Mental Retardation?

Mental Retardation is a delay or slowness in the mental development of a person. It is a condition and not a disease. People with this condition will have less mental ability or intelligence than others having difficulty in learning, understanding, communicating with others and adjusting their behavior to the various situations in everyday life.

Causes?

BEFORE PREGNANCY

1) Conceiving a child at a very young or at old age.

2) Poor nutrition of girl child and in young women.

3) Family history of mental retardation (Inherited causes).

4) Malnutrition or lack of some minerals during pregnancy like lack of Iodine may result to cretinism.

5) Infections like German Measles, tetanus, etc.

6) Repeated fits and high blood pressure in pregnant women.

7) Accidents during pregnancy.

8) Addictions – smoking, alcohol etc.


DURING DELIVERY

1) Premature birth and problems at the time of delivery can damage the brain.

a) Prolonged labour
b) Difficult labour
c) Excessive bleeding during delivery.
d) Complication of forceps.

2) Abnormal position .for example babies born with feet coming first.
3) Delay in birth cry.

AFTER BIRTH

Though a normal child is born certain factors after birth may cause damage to brain which results in mental retardation like
1) Poor nutrition.
2) Illness, such as jaundice, fits etc.
3) Infections to the brain such as meningitis and encephalitis.
4) Accidents like head injury and poisoning.



PREVENTION



BEFORE PREGNANCY

Ø Best period for child bearing is between 20 to 30 years of age.
Ø Maintain good nutrition of young women even before pregnancy.
Ø avoid marriage between close relations with a family history of disability
Ø Genetic counseling for parents and couples.

DURING PREGNANCY

Ø Pregnant women should have proper nutrition. Regular medical checkup is very important.
Ø During pregnancy medicines should be taken only after consulting the doctor.
Ø Pregnant women should not be exposed to radiation, such as, x-rays, especially during the first Trimester.
Ø Women should be immunized against diseases like German measles and tetanus at an appropriate time.
Ø Repeated fits and high blood pressure should be under the care of a qualified doctor so that the blood pressure is under control and fits do not occur.
Ø Climbing on stool, walking on slippery floor to be avoided.
Ø Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

DURING DELIVERY

Foetal distress must be detected early and a qualified doctor should be called immediately.
In case of abnormal positioning of the foetus in the womb, the delivery must be conducted by a qualified doctor & any congenital abnormalities /respiratory distress and fits should be immediately looked in to and the child must be sent to a specialist.
Immediately after birth the airway must be cleared. If the baby’s color is blue then he must be given oxygen immediately.

AFTER BIRTH

Ø Proper nutrition during the early years should be given; otherwise malnutrition may cause damage to the baby’s brain.
Ø Immunization should be given at the appropriate time. Timely and proper treatment of infections and illness should be ensured.
Ø Necessary safety measures to be undertaking to avoid accidents. Keep drugs, chemicals and poisons out of reach of children.