Significant developmental delay in at least two of the following areas: personal social, fine motor, language and gross motor areas is defined as 'psychomotor retardation'. The prevalence is 5-10%. While this terminology is used in the first five years of life, it is called 'mental motor retardation' after the age of five. There may be many underlying causes. Chromosomal anomalies (Down syndrome, fragile X), congenital metabolic diseases, brain development disorders, chronic diseases of the mother and the risks she is exposed to during pregnancy, prematurity, difficult delivery and oxygen deprivation at birth, central nervous system infections, malnutrition, previous head trauma can lead to this condition.
The prevalence of mental retardation in the population is 2-3%. It is classified as borderline, mild, moderate, severe and very severe mental retardation. 80% of patients are in the mild mental retardation group, 10% in the moderate mental retardation group and 1-2% in the severe mental retardation group. In some patients, isolated language retardation or isolated motor retardation may be observed rather than retardation at all stages. Infants who have normal development in other areas but show motor delay (delay in head control, sitting without support and walking) often have hypotonicity (laxity). In some, muscle disease manifests itself as motor retardation (especially delayed walking).
In children between the ages of six months and 6 years, the Denver II developmental screening test, which is standardized for Turkish children, is used to test personal social, language, fine and gross motor development compared to their peers, and a detailed examination can be performed with the Bayley III test in the first 3 years of life. In children after the age of six, IQ is evaluated with the WISC-R test.
Symptoms of Mental Retardation
Mental retardation can occur as a result of factors experiencedbefore, during and after birth. Physical symptoms can also be experienced in mental retardation, which is especially caused by prenatal factors. In addition to differences in facial features, some symptoms can also be detected in mental development.
Mental retardation is more commonin boys than girls.
In order to diagnose and measure mental retardation, the Stanford-binet mental retardation test as well as the wisc-r intelligence test can be applied today.
What are the Disabilities in Mental Retardation?
In children with mental retardation; eye disorders, hearing loss and speech disorders as well as epilepsy can be seen. In addition to physical disabilities, psychotic and neurotic disorders can also be experienced.
