Cognitive Deficits (cont.)

Medical Author:

Georgina Peacock, MD

Medical Editor:

Elizabeth A Finley-Belgrad, MD

Medical Editor:

Mary L Windle, PharmD

Medical Editor:

Cynthia R Ellis, MDr

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Prevention

Genetic counseling might be useful in family planning and in identifying hereditary conditions that may cause cognitive deficits.

Early and frequent prenatal care helps to ensure that fetal malnutrition does not occur. Prenatal care also helps to identify certain factors that might increase the risk of subsequent cognitive impairment such as prematurity and spina bifida.

Ethanol-related birth defects represent the most common preventable form of intellectual disability for children in developed countries. An estimated 8% of all cases of mild intellectual disability are a result of prenatal exposure to alcohol.