Causes of Developmental Problems ✅ Flashcards
Why is early identification of children with severe or complex needs required?
To ensure that early intervention programmes are initiated to offer support to parents, and ensure that a child’s developmental potential is reached
What can the causes of developmental problems be broadly classified into?
- Prenatal
- Perinatal
- Postnatal
What are the categories of prenatal causes of developmental problems?
- Genetic
- Toxins
- Infections
- Other
What are the prenatal genetic causes of developmental problems?
- Single gene disorders (inherited or new mutation)
- Chromosomal microduplications or deletions
- Aneuploidy or tetraploidy
What prenatal toxins can cause developmental problems?
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Medication, e.g. sodium valproate
- Recreational drugs
What prenatal infections can cause developmental problems?
Congenital infections, e.g. toxoplasma, rubella, CMV etc
What are the other prenatal causes of developmental problems?
- Placental insufficiency and growth restriction
- Intrauterine cerebral arterial or venous infarction
- Congenital brain malformation, e.g. lissencephaly
What % of cases of cerebral palsy are due to antenatal events?
75-80%
What are the perinatal causes of developmental problems?
- Preterm birth
- Infections
- Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
- Physical
What % of children born at 24-25 weeks gestation have some degree of impairment?
55-60%
What % of children born at 24-25 weeks have severe impairment?
15%
What perinatal infections can cause developmental problems?
Bacterial, e.g. GBS, or viral
Give an example of a physical perinatal problem that can cause developmental problems?
Traumatic brain injury
What are the categories of postnatal causes of developmental problems?
- Infection
- Traumatic brain injury
- Brain tumour
- Inborn errors of metabolism
- Environmental
Give an example of a postnatal infection that can cause developmental problems?
Meningoencephalitis (viral or bacterial)
What postnatal causes of traumatic brain injury can cause developmental problems?
- Accidental or non-accidental injury
- Drowning
- Hanging/strangulation
- Road traffic accidents
- Conflict related, e.g. war-affected areas
How can brain tumours cause developmental problems?
Either as a direct effect of caused by treatment
When do inborn errors of metabolism have an impact on development?
Only are independent of placental support
What are the environmental postnatal causes of developmental problems?
- Inadequate nutrition
- Psychosocial adversity
Where might it be useful to observe the child when trying to diagnose a developmental disorder?
- The clinic room
- Nursey or school
- Childs home
Why is it important to determine the underlying aetiology of developmental disorders?
- Informs discussions with parents
- Guides management
- Can be helpful for future pregnancies
