What Causes Mental Retardation?

Doctors have found many causes of mental
retardation. The most common are
• Genetic conditions. Sometimes mental retardation
is caused by abnormal genes inherited from
parents, errors when genes combine, or other
reasons. Examples of genetic conditions are
Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and
phenylketonuria (PKU).
• Problems during pregnancy. Mental retardation
can result when the baby does not develop inside
the mother properly. For example, there may be
a problem with the way the baby’s cells divide as
it grows. A woman who drinks alcohol or gets
an infection like rubella during pregnancy may
also have a baby with mental retardation.
• Problems at birth. If a baby has problems during
labor and birth, such as not getting enough
oxygen, he or she may have mental retardation.
• Health problems. Diseases like whooping cough,
the measles, or meningitis can cause mental
retardation. Mental retardation can also be
caused by extreme malnutrition (not eating
right), not getting enough medical care, or by
being exposed to poisons like lead or mercury.
Mental retardation is not a disease. You can’t
catch mental retardation from anyone. Mental
retardation is also not a type of mental illness, like
depression. There is no cure for mental retardation.
However, most children with mental retardation can
learn to do many things. It just takes them more time
and effort than other children.

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