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Published on: June 20, 2020
Environmental evaluation of a child with developmental disability
Javed Hussain1, Alan D Woolf, Megan Sandel
1Pediatric Environmental Health Center, Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. javed.hussain@childrens.harvard.edu
Pediatric Clinics of North America
|February 20, 2007
Summary
Environmental toxicants may impact children's brain development, potentially contributing to disabilities like autism. A thorough environmental history is crucial for physicians to assess potential toxicant links to childhood developmental disorders.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Children's health is susceptible to environmental influences.
- Certain environmental chemicals are known neurotoxins.
- The link between environmental toxicants and specific developmental disabilities like ADHD and autism remains uncertain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential role of environmental toxicants in childhood developmental disabilities.
- To guide primary care physicians in evaluating environmental factors for children with developmental disorders.
- To establish a framework for assessing the relationship between toxicants and pediatric disabilities.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing existing literature on environmental chemicals and neurodevelopment.
- Analyzing the process of taking a detailed environmental history from parents.
- Correlating physical examination findings with potential environmental exposures.
Main Results:
- Environmental chemicals can adversely affect children's brain development.
- A definitive causal link between specific toxicants and conditions like ADHD or autism requires further investigation.
- Environmental history and physical exams are key initial steps in identifying potential toxicant-related issues.
Conclusions:
- Physicians should consider environmental exposures when evaluating children with developmental disabilities.
- Detailed environmental histories can help identify potential toxicant-related causes.
- Further research is needed to confirm the specific roles of environmental toxicants in conditions such as autism and ADHD.
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