| Environmental (non-genetic) causes of mental retardation |
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| PRE-NATAL CAUSES |
| The period during which a baby grows in its mother’s uterus. |
| Cause 1: |
During the prenatal period a child may become mentally retarded if the pregnant mother has a very high fever and does not seek treatment (Congenital Rubella). |
| Prevention: |
See a doctor immediately if feeling feverish during Pregnancy. |
| Cause 2: |
During the prenatal period a child may become mentally retarded if either the mother or the father had a sexually transmitted disease (STD) at the time of conception (Congenital Syphilis). |
| Prevention: |
See a doctor immediately for treatment of all sexually transmitted diseases. |
| Cause 3: |
During the prenatal period a child may become mentally retarded if the mother is malnourished. |
| Prevention: |
Pregnant women must make sure to eat sufficient amounts of healthy, nutritious food. |
| Cause 4: |
During the prenatal period a child may become mentally retarded if the mother has severe hypertension, diabetes or various other serious medical conditions. |
| Prevention: |
As soon as pregnancy is suspected, consult a doctor for a full medical checkup to ensure that all medical conditions are identified and treated. |
| Cause 5: |
A child may become mentally retarded the mother is X-rayed or exposed to other types of radiation during the prenatal period. |
| Prevention: |
Expecting mothers should avoid all forms of Radiation -including X- RAYS - during Pregnancy. |
| Cause 6: |
If a mother experiences severe breathing difficulties during the period of the pregnancy, and medical advice is not sought immediately, the child may be born mentally retarded. The act of breathing is vital to provide sufficient oxygen to the body and its cells. If breathing is impaired, insufficient oxygen may be provided to the growing baby and their the development of their mental capacities may be affected. |
| Prevention: |
Seek medical advice if the mother experiences severe breathing difficulties during Pregnancy. |
| Cause 7: |
All blood is classified as RH-type A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ or O-. If a mother’s blood type is different from the father’s, complications may occur. If the baby’s blood type is that of the father’s, then the mother’s and the baby’s blood will be incompatible. In this case, if the mother’s blood mixes with the baby’s at the time of delivery and the baby are not treated with gamma globulin; the baby may become mentally retarded. |
| Prevention: |
Before delivery, check the blood of the mother and father to determine if it is compatible. If their blood is not compatible, ensure that the baby is injected with GAMMA GLOBULIN within 72 hours of Delivery. |
| Cause 8: |
If the mother takes the wrong medicines/drugs during pregnancy, the baby may be born mentally retarded. |
| Prevention: |
Do not take medicines/drugs during pregnancy without first consulting a qualified doctor. |
| Cause 9: |
If the mother drinks alcohol or takes illegal drugs during pregnancy, the baby may be born mentally retarded. |
| Prevention: |
Never take Alcohol or illegal drugs during pregnancy. |
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| NATAL CAUSES |
| The period immediately before, during and after delivery. |
| Cause 1: |
Babies born prematurely (before 250 days/37 weeks in the womb) are at risk of mental retardation. |
| Prevention: |
Premature babies must be delivered in a hospital, to ensure a qualified doctor gives proper care. If the baby is not born in a hospital, it must be kept clean and safe until examined by a doctor. |
| Cause 2: |
Babies born late (i.e. remaining in the womb for more than 10 months) are at risk of mental retardation. |
| Prevention: |
The correct date of delivery should be calculated in consultation with a doctor with a doctor. Surgery can be performed to prevent delayed birth. |
| Cause 3: |
If the delivery of the baby is difficult and/or the mother is in labour for a long period, complications may arise, putting the baby at risk of becoming mentally retarded. |
| Prevention: |
If delivery problems are serious, the doctor may advise a Caesarian delivery (surgically removing the baby from the mother's womb). |
| Cause 4: |
During delivery, if the umbilical cord becomes coiled around the baby’s neck, complications may arise (for example, the cord may cut of the supply of oxygen to the baby’s brain), putting the baby at risk of becoming mentally retarded. |
| Prevention: |
Delivery ought to be at a hospital, to ensure that a doctor will be available to immediately remove the cord from the baby's neck. |
| Cause 5: |
If the baby is injured in the womb or during delivery, such that there is bleeding in the brain, the baby may become mentally retarded if the doctor does not take action to remove the accumulated blood as soon as the baby is delivered. |
| Prevention: |
If there is bleeding in the baby's brain, the doctor must take appropriate action immediately after the baby is born. |
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| POST- NATAL CAUSES |
| Causes even during the immediate period following birth. |
| Cause 1: |
If the birth cry is delayed and the child takes time to breath, the lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain puts the baby at risk of becoming mentally retarded. |
| Prevention: |
If he baby does not immediately take breath, oxygen should be given to avoid possible brain damage. |
| Cause 2: |
High viral fever in a young child may damage the brain causing the child to become mentally retarded (e.g. encephalitis and meningitis). |
| Prevention: |
If a child exhibits high fever, action should immediately be taken to bring the fever down and/of a doctor should be consulted for treatment. |
| Cause 3: |
Severe or partially treated tuberculosis (TB) may damage the brain causing the child to become mentally retarded. |
| Prevention: |
At the time of birth, the preventative vaccine for TB should be administered. If the baby contracts TB, constant and prolonged treatment should be given. |
| Cause 4: |
Lead and some other poisons taken in small does for a long time may damage the brain causing the child to become mentally retarded. |
| Prevention: |
Children should not be allowed to bite toys or windows painted using LEAD mixed paints. |
| Cause 5: |
In some children, the body does not use the protein, fats and/or carbohydrates present in food properly. This may affect the brain, causing the child to become mentally retarded. |
| Prevention: |
Children's urine should be tested regularly. If irregularities are identified, the child's diet should be altered accordingly. |
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Mental Retardation
