2. What is Mental Retardation? Mental retardation is a developmental disability that is marked by lower-than-normal intelligence and limited daily living skills. Mental retardation is normally present at birth or develops early in life.
19. FRAGILE X SYNDROME Fragile X syndrome is an X chromosome defect that causes mental retardation and a wide range of associated signs and symptoms.
20. HYDROCEPHALUS an abnormal condition in which cerebrospinal fluid collects in the ventricles of the brain; in infants it can cause abnormally rapid growth of the head and bulging fontanelles and a small face; in adults the symptoms are primarily neurological.
21. MICROCEPHALY Microcephaly is a neurological disorder where the distance around the largest portion of the head (the circumference) is less than should normally be the case in an infant or a child. The condition can be evident at birth, or can develop within the first few years following birth. The smaller than normal head restricts the normal growth and development of the brain.
22. PHENYLKETONURIA The inherited inability to metabolize (process) the essential amino acid phenylalanine due to complete or near-complete deficiency of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase.
23. SOME MEASURES OF PREVENTION Improving the nutritional status of the community as a whole, especially the girl child in order to reduce the risk factors for mental retardation such as low birth weight, and prematurity in the offspring of these children in future.
24. Universal immunization of children with BCG, polio, DPT, and MMR to prevent many disorders having the propensity to damage the brain and thereby causing mental retardation. Rubella immunization (part of MMR) can totally eradicate the occurrence of maternal rubella syndrome.
25. Avoiding pregnancy before 21 years and after the age of 35 years as complications of pregnancy and labour are more common before 21 years. The risk of Downs syndrome and other chromosomal disorders increases as the maternal age at pregnancy crosses 35 years;
