Update on Mental Retardation.
- Author:
Shin Young YIM
1
Author Information
1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Korea. syyim@ajou.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cognitive development;
Mental retardation;
Down syndrome;
Fragile X syndrome;
Prader-Willi syndrome
- MeSH:
Adaptation, Psychological;
Child;
Down Syndrome;
Early Intervention (Education);
Fragile X Syndrome;
Humans;
Intellectual Disability*;
Korea;
Molecular Biology;
Prader-Willi Syndrome;
Prevalence
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine
2006;30(2):103-110
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Mental retardation is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and adaptive skills, which originates before the age of 18. The prevalence of mental retardation among elementary school children in Korea is estimated as 9~12/1,000. In most cases of mental retardation, the interplay of genetic and environmental influences remains poorly understood. However, recent advances in molecular genetic techniques have enabled us to understand more about the molecular basis of several genetic syndromes associated with mental retardation. This article presents a review of three common genetic conditions causing mental retardation-Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome-with the summary of the effectiveness of early intervention for the children with mental retardation.
