Who could potentially be effected by some form of mental retardation?
M.R. can effect individuals of every race, religion and nationality, every educational, social and economic background. Some of our Nation’s leading figures have had family members with some form of M.R. As a matter of fact, hereditary components are known to account for only a fraction of the cases of M.R. What are the causes of mental retardation? M.R. can be caused by any conditions which impair development of the brain before birth, during birth, or in the early childhood years. Well over 250 causes have already been discovered, but they account for only about one-fourth of all known cases of M.R. In three-fourth of the cases, the specific cause still remains unknown. Some of the most common causes include: • Genetic Irregularities – These result from abnormality of genes inherited from the parents, or from disorders of the genes caused during pregnancy by infections, over exposure to x-rays, and other factors. Inborn errors of metabolism which may produce M.R., such as PKU, fall i
