What Causes Mental Retardation?

There are many potential causes of mental retardation. The causes can be categorized into a few categories. Diseases like HIV, meningitis, listeriosis, encephalitis, congenital toxoplasmosis, congenital rubella and congenital CMV  present before or occurring after birth can cause mental retardation.Toxins like alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines and other drugs the mother consumes while pregnant can also be the causes.

Iodine deficiency is the most prevalent cause of mental retardation, as it effects brain development, it can lead to hypothyroidism.

Causes of Mental Retardation?

Mental retardation is a complex condition which may be caused by the interaction of several factors. In about 75 % of cases  the exact region  is never known. Causes of mental retardation involved  defects in the genes  or chromosomes  injuries or conditions that  create  an develop while a fetus  is developing in the womb  diseases of early childhood and environmental influences. The three major problem  of mental retardation are Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, and fragile X.There are various known causes of mental retardation:

• Various genetic disorders like Down’s Syndrome
• Certain maternal infections (rubella)during pregnancy
• Alcohol abuse during pregnancy
• Certain psycho social
• Drug abuse during pregnancy
• Maternal exposure to environmental chemicals