Nearly 30 years ago, scientists first coined the term “
fetal alcohol syndrome
” (FAS) to describe a pattern of birth defects found in children of mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy (1,2). Today, FAS remains the leading known preventable cause of mental retardation (3).
Which is the leading preventable cause of mental disability?
In fact,
alcohol
is known to be the leading preventable cause of intellectual disability.
What is the leading cause of mental retardation?
Down's syndrome
is the most common specific cause of mental retardation, followed by the Fragile X syndrome, which mainly affects boys.
Is one of the world's most common preventable causes of mental retardation?
Iodine deficiency
remains the single greatest cause of preventable brain damage and mental retardation worldwide. Eliminating iodine deficiency is recognized as one of the most achievable of the goals that the 1990 World Summit for Children set for the year 2000.
What is the most common preventable cause of intellectual disability in the world?
The most common known preventable or environmental cause of intellectual disability is
fetal alcohol syndrome
, the most common chromosomal cause is Down syndrome, and the most common genetic cause is Fragile X syndrome.
Can mental retardation be treated?
A small study of 30 people with the most common inherited form of mental retardation has found encouraging evidence that
some symptoms of the disorder can be alleviated with drugs
.
What are signs of low IQ?
- IQ 50-70.
- Slower than normal in all areas.
- Can conform socially.
- Can acquire daily task skills.
- Integrated in society.
- No unusual physical signs.
- Can acquire practical skills.
- Reading and math skills up to grades 3-6.
What are the 5 signs of mental illness?
- Excessive paranoia, worry, or anxiety.
- Long-lasting sadness or irritability.
- Extreme changes in moods.
- Social withdrawal.
- Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping pattern.
Is mental retardation preventable?
Approximately 20% of children with epilepsy have mental retardation. The cause is prenatal or genetic in nearly two thirds, and
only 7% have an acquired, preventable cause
. Important genetic influences may be present, espe- cially in the absence of a defined cause.
What are the top 5 mental illnesses?
- Anxiety Disorders. The most common category of mental health disorders in America impacts approximately 40 million adults 18 and older. …
- Mood Disorders. …
- Psychotic Disorders. …
- Dementia. …
- Eating disorders.
How can mental retardation be prevented?
Prenatal diagnosis, newborn screening, dietary supplementation or restriction, hormone replacement, vaccination
, and immunotherapy are just some of the techniques that have been applied to prevent mental retardation.
What are the 4 levels of mental retardation?
The DSM-IV classifies mental retardation into four stages based on severity:
mild (IQ score of 50-55 to approximately 70)
, moderate (IQ score of 30-35 to 50-55), severe (IQ score of 20-25 to 35-40), and profound (IQ score of less than 20-25).
What is the leading cause of mental retardation in western countries?
17) The World Health Organization has stated that
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
is the leading known cause of mental retardation in western civilization, as indicated by studies done in the U.S., Australia, Europe, and Canada.
Which is the fastest growing cause of intellectual disabilities that can be prevented?
Iodine deficiency
is the leading preventable cause of intellectual disability in areas of the developing world—it affects approximately 2 billion people worldwide.
What are the two most common causes of intellectual disability?
The two most common are
Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome
. Genetic causes of intellectual disability cannot be considered preventable.
What causes intellectual disability is 100 percent preventable?
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
is the single most common preventable cause of intellectual and developmental disabilities. FASD is 100% preventable by not drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
