Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
[Disability in childhood. Care and professional training regarding particularly the problems currently seen in
M L Gianni1, C Vegni, O Picciolini
1Istituto di Pediatria e Neonatologia, Università degli Studi di Milano. maria.gianni@unimi.it
Insights
Childhood disability encompasses diverse conditions affecting 5-20% of children, necessitating medical prevention and societal support. Early intervention and training for healthcare professionals are crucial for managing these complex challenges and reducing societal costs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Public Health
Context:
- Childhood disability presents a heterogeneous spectrum of conditions, including physical, neurodevelopmental, and social limitations.
- Prevalence ranges from 5-20%, with significant variations in severity.
- Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants exhibit higher rates of major (10-15%) and minor (20-25%) disabilities.
Purpose:
- To highlight the heterogeneity and prevalence of childhood disability.
- To emphasize the critical role of medical prevention and specialized training for healthcare professionals.
- To underscore the necessity of societal support and integrated care services.
Summary:
- Childhood disability involves a wide array of conditions, impacting physical, neurodevelopmental, and social functioning.
- Literature indicates a prevalence of 5-20%, with VLBW infants being a particularly vulnerable group.
- Effective management requires a multi-faceted approach, including medical prevention, enhanced professional training, and robust social support systems.
Impact:
- Addressing childhood disability is essential for individual well-being and societal progress.
- Integrated healthcare and social services can mitigate disability challenges.
- Proactive measures and societal understanding can lead to reduced long-term costs and improved quality of life.
Abstract:
Children with disability are a heterogeneous population distributed between complex conditions including physical disorders, psychomotor and neurodevelopment disorders, social role and school activities limitations. Prenatal, perinatal and neonatal diseases together with disabling chronic conditions may cause childhood disability. Data from literature show a prevalence of childhood disability ranging from 5 to 20% with a wide range of severity level. The social impact of childhood disability is extremely relevant. Children with disabilities frequently require health care services and special education. VLBW (very low birth weight infants, birth weight <1500 gr) have major disabilities (10-15%) while minor disabilities can be found in 20-25% of these subjects. The first step stays in medical prevention but also an oriented training toward these problems for doctors both in pre and post-graduate formation can play a significant role. Support of society in order to understand the complexity and heterogeneity of childhood disability, through social care services, is mandatory. These measures, apparently costly, if correctly done, will be helpful for both the individual subject and the whole society, through a reduction of the disability problems and the final economy cost impact.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Intellectual Disability
01:25Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.