MENTAL RETARDATION : A PROBLEM WHICH REALLY AFFECTS

It is a condition which is diagnosed before 18 years of age which includes those children who have a below average intellectual function and lack of general skills . Mental retardation  is considered to be a common disease which manifests with the increasing age but the problem starts when the disease appears before 18 years of age . About 1-3% of the world is suffering from this disease  but the cause is found in only 25% of cases .

child suffering from cytomegalovirus infection

CAUSES

Congenital infections

Chromosomal abnormalities

Genetic abnormalities

Hypothyroidism

Hyperbilirubinemia

Malnutrition

                                                               Birth asphyxia

                                                               Iodine deficiency in the diet

                                                               Trauma to head

SIGNS

Children has difficulty in talking and understanding . He might have delayed milestones and may start talking late .

Impaired memory

Impaired problem solving skills

Not able to take care of himself

PREVENTION

Improving the nutritional status of the community as a whole specially the female child

Intake of balanced diet by the pregnant women

Reducing low birth weight and premature birth

Folic acid supplementation in pregnancy to avoid the neural tube defects

Avoiding teenage and old age pregnancies

Vaccination of pregnant women

Vaccination of the children according to the EPI schedule

Avoidance of inter marriages

Safe delivery by skilled birth attendants

  

PREGNANCY DIET

ARE  U  PREGNANT   ?

If you are pregnant than you must know what you should eat .

THE CALORIC REQUIREMENT

It is good to know that you only need about 300 extra calories a day during the second and third trimester .

Need not to worry about extra caloric intake in the first trimester , when actually it is very difficult to eat  due to nausea and vomiting .

                                        

                                                       VOMITING

If you are experiencing vomiting during first trimester , then instead of three meals take small five to six snacks in a day , that will help reduce vomiting . These snacks should be taken at an interval of two to three hours .Try to avoid tea and coffee in that situation .

BALANCED DIET

Carbohydrates , proteins , fats , vitamins and minerals are all essential things and should be taken .

 NEED OF SUPPLEMENTS

Folic acid is must in the first three months , reduces the risk of anomalies in the baby .

Iron is a good supplement to prevent and treat iron deficiency .

Calcium is important for the fetal bone formation and also prevents mothers bone strength , so it is good to take plenty of milk .