Intellectual Disability
Intellectual disability is characterized as a condition stemming from incomplete development of brain cells or a halt in their growth during a specific stage of childhood for various reasons. Contrary to the common misconception that intellectual disability is an independent pathological condition, experts have reached a consensus that it encompasses a range of disorders resulting in a significant reduction in a child’s intelligence quotient (IQ) compared to the general population, alongside difficulties in adapting to the external environment.
Causes of Intellectual Disability
Primary Causes (Genetic)
Genetic traits are transmitted from parents to offspring through genes from the moment of conception. Some of these genes may carry negative hereditary characteristics such as intellectual disability and significantly low IQ levels. Typically, these cases of intellectual disability arise in the offspring of parents who exhibit various degrees of similar conditions or low intelligence. Additionally, a grandparent or other family members may also carry the same genetic trait. It is important to note that the affected individual should not have any organic factors that could have contributed to the intellectual disability.
Secondary Causes (Acquired)
These causes manifest in the fetus after the conception process, meaning they are unrelated to hereditary traits carried by genes. In these instances, intellectual disability is not passed down to subsequent generations. Such causes may relate to conditions like meningitis or hydrocephalus, among others. Researchers categorize the acquired factors based on developmental stages as follows:
- Factors acquired during pregnancy: This includes illnesses that the mother may suffer from, such as diabetes, hypertension, German measles, thyroid disorders, toxic exposure affecting the fetus, and exposure to radiation. External conditions experienced by the mother, such as later-age pregnancies, previous pregnancy complications, blood type disorders, and malnutrition affecting the mental and physical growth of the fetus, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy, also play a role.
- Factors acquired during childbirth: This encompasses premature births, post-term deliveries, as well as conditions related to slow or rapid deliveries and other placental issues.
- Factors acquired post-birth: This includes cases like jaundice, oxygen deprivation to the brain, cranial enlargement, and other recent inflammatory conditions.
- Factors acquired during childhood up to the prepubescent period: These include sensory impairments such as blindness and deafness, peripheral sensory deficits like the lack of interaction among family members, mental health disturbances resulting from excessive pampering or deprivation, severe head trauma, speech disorders, and other chemical exposure incidents.