Philadelphia Birth Injury Information about Mental Retardation

Provided by the Birth Injury Law Firm of Messa & Associates, serving clients through Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey

• Genetic conditions - More than 500 genetic diseases have been attributed to causing mental retardation disorders. Several of the conditions often result from abnormal genes inherited from parents, or errors that occur when genes combine, among many other reasons. The most common genetic disorders that cause mental retardation include Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and Phenylketonuria (PKU).
  
  
• Complications during pregnancy – Consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking, or drug abuse during pregnancy can often cause mental retardation. Other risks factors which can inhibit brain development include illnesses contracted by the mother, malnutrition, and environmental contaminants.
  
  
• Problems at Birth – Infants with low birth rates or premature babies have the highest risk of mental retardation. Other causes are unusual stress on the head during birth, or lack of oxygen. Problems during the time of delivery can often be prevented. If this is one of the most probable causes for your child’s mental retardation contact Mess and Associates to review your situation.
  
  
• Childhood diseases or extreme malnutrition – An absence of adequate nutrition or diseases not treated immediately such as chicken pox, whooping cough, and measles can lead to meningitis and encephalitis and can ultimately cause mental retardation. Childhood diseases can often be treated early or monitored carefully to avoid reaching a critical level of infection. Contact Messa and Associates if you feel that your child’s disease and mental retardation was not treated properly by your health care provider.