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A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
12:18

A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Published on: January 11, 2020

A population-based study on the causes of mild and severe mental retardation

R Matilainen1, E Airaksinen, T Mononen

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|March 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated the causes of mental retardation (MR) in Finnish children. Genetic factors, including trisomy 21 and fragile X syndrome, were significant contributors, highlighting unique Finnish inheritance patterns.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Genetics
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Mental retardation (MR) etiology is complex and multifactorial.
  • Understanding the causes of MR is crucial for early intervention and prevention strategies.
  • Finnish populations may exhibit unique genetic predispositions to certain conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and categorize the causes of mental retardation in a defined Finnish cohort.
  • To determine the prevalence of pre-, peri-, and postnatal factors contributing to MR.
  • To investigate the role of genetic causes, including specific inherited metabolic diseases.

Main Methods:

  • A multidisciplinary, population-based epidemiological case-control study.
  • Screening of 12,882 children aged 8-9 years in Kuopio, Finland.
  • Classification of MR causes into pre-, peri-, postnatal, and unknown groups based on probable onset time.

Main Results:

  • Genetic causes accounted for 28% of all 151 MR cases.
  • The most frequent genetic causes were trisomy 21 (13%), fragile X syndrome (4%), and aspartylglycosaminuria (2%).
  • Pre-, peri-, and postnatal causes were identified in 60%, 9%, and 8% of severely retarded children, respectively, with unknown causes in 23%.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides reliable etiological information on mental retardation in the studied population.
  • Genetic factors, particularly specific inherited metabolic diseases, play a significant role in Finnish MR cases.
  • The findings underscore the importance of genetic counseling and screening for conditions with typical Finnish inheritance patterns.

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