Brain Disorders & Therapy

Common Causes of Intellectual Disability

Kaye Galinier^* Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
^*Correspondence: Kaye Galinier, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA, Email:

Received: 28-Nov-2022, Manuscript No. BDT-22-19118; Editor assigned: 02-Dec-2022, Pre QC No. BDT-22-19118 (PQ); Reviewed: 16-Dec-2022, QC No. BDT-22-19118; Revised: 23-Jan-2023, Manuscript No. BDT-22-19118 (R); Published: 30-Dec-2022, DOI: 10.35248/2168-975X.22.11.185

Description

Intellectual Disability (ID) is a term referred to a person's limits in cognitive functioning and capabilities such as social, communication and self-care abilities. Due to these restrictions a child may grow and learn more slowly or otherwise differently than a youngster who is otherwise healthy and developing normally. Before a child becomes 18 years old intellectual handicap can appear at any time even before birth. Mental retardation the previous term for intellectual disability can be brought on by trauma, illness or a neurological condition. Many children's intellectual disabilities are caused by unknown factors. Some causes of intellectual disability such as Down syndrome, foetal alcohol syndrome, fragile X syndrome, birth abnormalities and infections can occur before birth. Some take place during or shortly after childbirth.

Common Causes of Intellectual Disabilities

Genetic conditions

These are the result of inherited genetic defects, genetic fusion mistakes or other genetic problems brought on during pregnancy by infections, excessive x-ray exposure and other reasons. The hereditary causes of intellectual impairment are numerous. PKU (phenylketonuria) a single gene condition is one such. Children with PKU are unable to digest phenylalanine a component of a protein because they lack or have a malfunctioning enzyme. Phenylalanine accumulates in the blood and leads to intellectual incapacity if it isn't treated.

Pregnancy complications

When the baby does not grow normally inside the mother it may have an intellectual handicap. For instance, there can be an issue with the baby's cell division. A pregnant woman who consumes alcohol or contracts an illness like rubella may also give birth to a child who has intellectual disabilities.

Issues during childbirth

More frequently than any other conditions, prematurity and low birth weights are indicators of serious issues. Intellectual disabilities may result from birth complications like brief oxygen deprivation or birth wounds.

After-birth complications

Trauma, such as a head injury or a near drowning, as well as illnesses like whooping cough, chicken pox, measles and Hib disease that can cause meningitis and encephalitis can harm the brain. The nervous system and brain may suffer permanent harm from environmental pollutants like lead and mercury.

Poverty and cultural deprivation

Children who live in poverty are more likely to suffer from malnutrition, childhood illnesses, be exposed to environmental health risks and frequently receive subpar medical care. The likelihood of intellectual impairment is increased by these elements. Children in underprivileged communities may also be denied access to many common cultural and educational opportunities offered to other children. According to research, such under stimulation can cause irreparable harm and be a contributing factor in intellectual impairment.

Diseases or exposure to toxins

Intellectual problems can be brought on by illnesses like measles, whooping cough or meningitis. Extreme under nutrition improper medical care or exposures to toxins like lead or mercury are other potential causes. It is impossible to contract an intellectual handicap from another person because it is not communicable. Additionally, we are certain that it is not a mental condition like depression. Children with intellectual disabilities can however pick up a lot of new skills. They might only need to take more time or learn in a different way from other kids. Other causes of intellectual disability such as serious head trauma, infections or stroke do not manifest themselves until a kid is older.