This document defines mental retardation as sub-average general intelligence that manifests during early development, resulting in diminished learning capacity and difficulty adjusting socially. It describes several clinical features of mental retardation including family history, home environment factors, physical anomalies, and delays in development. It also discusses intelligence quotient (IQ) tests which assess verbal and non-verbal abilities to determine a patient's mental age and classify their level of retardation. The causes of mental retardation include both prenatal factors like genetic conditions and perinatal factors like infections, while management involves counseling, education, rehabilitation, and treatment of behavioral issues.

1. MENTAL
RETARDATION
1

2. DEFINATION
Mental retardation is defined as
sub-average general intelligence,
manifesting during early
developmental period.
The child has diminished learning
capacity and does not adjust well
socially.
P/B :- DR NIYATI PATEL
2

3. CLINICAL FEATURES
(a) History of mental deficiency in the family.
(b) Home environment which hampers the development of
mental potentialities due to inadequate intellectual, social and
personality forming influences.
(c) Evidence of anomalies of skull such as microcephaly,
hydrocephalus, asymmetry of skull and face, malformations of
external ear, eye and nose; thickness of lips, protruding
mandible, ill-formed teeth and deformities of palate.
(d) Delay in physiological, psychological or social development,
i.e. delay in the milestones.
(e) Defect in articulation of speech and vocabulary.
(f) Short span of general information and practical knowledge.
(g) Inefficiency in work and poor economic achievements.
P/B :- DR NIYATI PATEL
3

4. INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT (IQ)
TEST
 However, a patient’s cooperation is necessary for
proper assessment of these tests.
 Verbal and non-verbal (performance) items
comprise the IQ tests from which the mental age of
a patient can be determined.
 The IQ can then be calculated as follows:
 IQ = MENTAL AGE × 100/ CHRONOLOGICAL AGE
 Average IQ = 90-110
 BORDERLINE MR = 70-90
P/B :- DR NIYATI PATEL
4

5.  GRADES OF RETARDATION
 MILD- IQ 50 TO 70
 MODERATE - IQ 35 TO 49
 SEVERE - IQ 20 TO 34
 PROFOUND - IQ BELOW 20
 Intelligence tests can be done after 3 years of age
 Intelligence test measures several brain functions
like auditory ability, visual spatial capability,
memory, language abilities
P/B :- DR NIYATI PATEL
5

6. IQ TESTS
 STANFORD BINET INTELLIGENCE SCALE – VERBAL
ABILITY, PECEPTUAL SKILLS, SHORT TERM MEMORY &
HAND EYE COORDINATION
 BINET KAMAT TEST – INDIAN ADAPTATION
 MALIN INTELLIGENCE SCALE FOR CHILDREN –
INFLUENCED BY FORMAL SCHOOLING
 PIAGET’S THEORY OF COGNITIVE FUNCTION –
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT, COGNITIVE
FUNCTIONS INTO 4 STAGES NAMELY SENSORYMOTOR
STAGE (0-2 YRS), PREOPERATIONAL STAGE (2-7 YRS),
CONCRETE OPERATIONAL STAGE (7-12 YRS) &
FORMAL OPERATIONAL STAGE (ABOVE 11 YRS)
P/B :- DR NIYATI PATEL
6

7. AETIOLOGY
 1. PRENATAL FACTORS
 a. Chromosomal abnormalities (down’s syndromes, turner’s syndrome)
 b. Inborn errors of metabolism
 C. Cranial malformation (hydrocephaly, microcephaly)
 2. PERINATAL FACTORS
 A. infection (torch)
 B. intoxication (lead, bilirubin)
 C. endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism)
 D. birth trauma
 E. prematurity
 3. POST NATAL FACTORS
 A. infection (meningitis, encephalitis)
 B. head injury ( accidental)
 c,. Intoxication (lead, carbon monoxide)
 D. adverse family & sociocultural factors ( low socioeconomic, poverty,
poor housing, malnutrition)
P/B :- DR NIYATI PATEL
7

8. MANAGEMENT
 1. Piracetam – 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses,
 No drugs, however, are available to increase the level of
intelligence.
 2. Psychotropic drugs – for associated behavioural
abnormalities.
 3. Counselling of parents.
 4. Education and training in schools for the mentally
handicapped.
 5. Appropriate rehabilitation depending on each
individual’s level of intelligence and aptitude.
 6. Management of behavioural problems by
appropriate medication and behaviour therapy.
P/B :- DR NIYATI PATEL
8

9. THANK YOU
P/B :- DR NIYATI PATEL
9