Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Maternal and neonatal risk factors for mental retardation: defining the 'at-risk' child

B W Camp1, S H Broman, P L Nichols

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Denver, USA.

Early Human Development
|March 4, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Low socioeconomic status and maternal education are key predictors of mental retardation in children. Identifying these risk factors early can help define infant risk status.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mental retardation (MR) diagnosis at age seven is influenced by various factors.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for early identification and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between maternal, perinatal, and neonatal characteristics and mental retardation at age seven.
  • To establish a ranking of early developmental events based on their association with MR.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 35,704 children in the Collaborative Perinatal Project, followed from prenatal period to age seven.
  • Collected data on nine maternal/pregnancy characteristics and 12 neonatal factors.

Main Results:

  • Low socioeconomic status (SES) and low maternal education were significant predictors of MR.
  • Maternal IQ < 70, low pregnancy weight gain, and multiple births increased risk.
  • Specific factors like maternal anemia (in Black infants) and UTIs (in White infants) showed ethnic variations in risk.
  • Genetic syndromes, CNS malformations, cerebral palsy, seizures, low birth weight, and low APGAR scores were associated with increased MR risk.
  • In low SES Black infants, low APGAR, primary apnea, and abnormal growth parameters further elevated risk.

Conclusions:

  • Early developmental events can be ranked by their association strength with mental retardation.
  • These rankings can serve as a guide for identifying infants at risk in early infancy.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

Concurrent Collection of Fetal Murine Brain and Serum to Assess Effects of Maternal Diet on Nutrition and Neurodevelopment in Neurofibromatosis Type 105:44

Concurrent Collection of Fetal Murine Brain and Serum to Assess Effects of Maternal Diet on Nutrition and Neurodevelopment in Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Published on: May 17, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
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.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Intellectual Disability01:29

Intellectual Disability

Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...