What are the three strategies parents can follow to minimize the risk of mental retardation in their children?

Question

What are the three strategies parents can follow to minimize the risk of mental retardation in their children?

Answer 1

Unless a healthy child had an accident involving the brain, they will not just become mentally challenge.  This problem is there from birth.  It's not an infection or anything.  It's genetics.  In short, no special diet will prevent this problem in the long run.

Answer 2

Feed them organic healthy foods!! No Soda's, only on occasions!! Give them vitamins, focus factor, and plenty of water!! Really you should do this before you have a baby, to prevent mental retardation, while a women is pregnant!! That's the real secret, and sometimes it's your genetics, that determines what is passed on to the child, because everyone is so different!!

Answer 3

when pregnant-evenif there is a chance of getting pregnat

get regular medical care

eat healthy (low folic acid can cause Spina Bifida-even before you know you are pregnant-Spina Bifida can cause fluid in the brain and cognitive impairment)

avoid drugs/alcohol

once the baby is born-practice safety procedures-seat belts, helmets, gates, supervisio to avoid injuries-

some illness (ie lead poisoning) can have a cognitive impact-get regular medical care

screen for lead

Answer 4

Iodine deficiency disorder is the world's leading cause of preventable mental retardation, but isn't really an issue in industrialized nations as most salt consumed has been supplemented with iodine.  You only need one spoonful of iodine spread out over a lifetime to prevent IDD.

Answer 5

overall mental retardation is a result of problems during pregnancy- malnutrition- injury to the fetus- anything that can prevent the baby from developmenting properly

as a child it is not too common to become mentally retarded- this is usually from brain trauma- sometimes people do not notice that their child has had a developmental disability like Mental retardation (mild) or autism until the child is a couple years old, because some of the symptoms are not always obvious until the child is put in intelligence demanding positions

Answer 6

The only real prevention would be genetic testing BEFORE the decision to concieve is made.

Abstaining from booze in any quantity would help ditto drugs.

Answer 7

Do you mean before they are born? If they have problems after birth it will most likely be due to an ABI (Aquired Brain Injury)

Before birth the mother should not drink as this can lead to FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) of which mental retardation is a symptom. Mother can also take folate, this will improve the chances of a child being born without Spina Bifida.

Answer 8

don't use the term mental retardation.. that would help