Biomaterial Database

[Mental deficiency. Definition, epidemiology, etiology (author's transl)]. 1978

M Arthuis

In this account, the author replaces this chapter within the field of pediatrics, showing the present importance of the problem. In spite of a definition which is sometimes imprecise, and epidemiological studies which are incomplete and difficult to draw up, the importance of this subject was obvious to those who drew up the 7th economic plan (1976--1980). Their estimation mentionned a total number of about 500,000 children, i.e. 4%. The main etiologies are discussed showing the part which is due to prenatal pathology and perinatal and postnatal pathology. Each chapter shows the role of biology and biochemistry in particular in the study of metabolic disorders of the nervous system. As far as genetic advice is concerned, it is not always easy as there still subsists a majority of cases of mental deficiency where the cause remains unknown. Research has an important role to play in the future if one wihes to cure or prevent mental deficiency.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008607	Intellectual Disability	Subnormal intellectual functioning which originates during the developmental period. This has multiple potential etiologies, including genetic defects and perinatal insults. Intelligence quotient (IQ) scores are commonly used to determine whether an individual has an intellectual disability. IQ scores between 70 and 79 are in the borderline range. Scores below 67 are in the disabled range. (from Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1992, Ch55, p28)	Disability, Intellectual,Idiocy,Mental Retardation,Retardation, Mental,Deficiency, Mental,Intellectual Development Disorder,Mental Deficiency,Mental Retardation, Psychosocial,Deficiencies, Mental,Development Disorder, Intellectual,Development Disorders, Intellectual,Disabilities, Intellectual,Disorder, Intellectual Development,Disorders, Intellectual Development,Intellectual Development Disorders,Intellectual Disabilities,Mental Deficiencies,Mental Retardations, Psychosocial,Psychosocial Mental Retardation,Psychosocial Mental Retardations,Retardation, Psychosocial Mental,Retardations, Psychosocial Mental
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D004739	England	A part of Great Britain within the United Kingdom.
D005602	France	A country in western Europe bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, the Mediterranean Sea, and the countries of Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the principalities of Andorra and Monaco, and by the duchy of Luxembourg. Its capital is Paris.	Corsica,Saint Pierre and Miquelon,Miquelon and Saint Pierre,Miquelon and St. Pierre,St. Pierre and Miquelon
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014481	United States	A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.