Inborn erorrors of metabolism. Inbo

Inborn erorrors of metabolism. Inborn errors of metabolism result from inherited deficiencies in enzymes used to metabolize basic substances in the body, such as amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, or trace elements (mideline plus,2007). One of the most common of these is phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU involves the inability of the body to convert a common dietary substance-phenylalanine-to tyrosine; the consequent accumulation of phenylalanine the leave the hospital. Babies with PKU are immediately put on a special diet, which prevents the the occurrence of intellectual disabilities. For example, milk, eggs, and the artificial sweetener aspartame are restricted because they contain significant amounts of phenylalanine. At one time, psysicians thought that the diet could be discontinued in middle childhood. However, authorities now recommend continuing the diet in definitely, for two important reasons: those who stop the diet are at risk for developing learning disabilities or other behavioral problems, and women with PKU who go off the diet are at very high risk of giving birth to children with PKU.
Developmental disorders of brain formation. A number of conditions can affect the structural development of brain and cause intellectual disabilities. Some of these are hereditary and accompany genetic syndromes, and some are caused by other conditions such as infections. Two examples of structural development affecting the brain are microcephalus and hydrocephalus. In microcephalus , the head is abnormally small and condical in shape. The intellectual disability that results usually ranges from severe to profound. No specific treatment is available for microcephaly, and life expectance is short (national institute of neurological disordes and storke, 2008).
Hydrocephalus results from an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid inside or outside the brain. The blockage of the circulation of the fluid result in abuildup of excessive pressure on the brain and enlargement of the skull. The degree of intellectual disability depends on how early the condition is diagnosed and treated. Two types of treatment are available; surgical placement of a shunt (tube) that drains the excess fluid away from the brain to abdomen or insertion of a device that causes the fluid to bypass the obstructed area of the brain.
Environmental influences. A variety of environmental factors can affect a women who is pregnant and thereby affect the development of the fetus she is carrying. One example is maternal malnutrition. If the mother-to-be doesn’t maintain a healthy diet, fetal brain development might be compromised.
We are also now much more aware of the harmful effects of a variety of substances, from obvious toxic agents, such as cocaine and heroin, to more subtle potential poisons, such as tobacco and alcohol. In particular, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) include a range of disorders in children born to women who have consumed excessive amounts of alcohol while pregnant. One of the most severe of those disordes is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Children wit FAS are characterized by a variety of abnormal facial features and growth retardation, as well as intellectual disabilities.
The hazards of radition to an un born fetus have been recognized for some time. For examples, physicians are cautious not to expose pregnant women to X-rays unless absolutely necessary, and the public has become concerned over the potential dangers of radition from improperly designed or supervised nuclear power plants.
Infections in the mother-to-be can also affect the developing fetus and result in intellectual disabilities. Rubella (german measles), in addition to being a potential cause of blindness, can also result in intellectual disabilities. Rubella is most dangerous during the first trimester (3 months) of pregnancy.
Perinatal causes. A variety of problems occurring while giving birth can result in brain injury and intellectual disabilities. For example, if the child is not positioned properly in the uterus, brain injury can result during delivery. One problem that sometimes occurs because of difficulty during delivery is anoxia (complete deprivation of oxygen).
Low Brithweight (LBW). Can result in a variety of behavioral and medical problems, incluiding intellectual disabilities (H.G Taylor, Klein, Minich, & Hack, 2000). Because most babies with LBW are premature, the two terms-LBW and premature-are often used synonymously. LBW is usually defined as 5.5 pounds or lower, and it is associated with a number of factors: poor nutrition, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and excessive cigarette smoking. LWB is more common in mothers living in poverty. And surprisingly, worldwide, only Africa has a higher rate of premature births than North America (united States and Canada cmbined), with asia and latin America having a lower rate that the united states (beck et al., 2010).
Infection such as syphilis and harpes simplex can be passed from mother to child during childbirth. These venereal diseases can potentially result in intellectual disabilities. (harpes simplex, which shows as cold sores or fever blisters, is not usually classified as a venereal disease unless it affects the genitals).