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, 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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No medical treatment exists for cognitive deficits; however, the following may be indicated:

• Nutritional interventions may be required for some individuals with specific disorders, including phenylketonuria, galactosemia, and maple syrup urine disease.

• Medications are commonly used in children and adults with intellectual disability to treat psychiatric disorders and behavior problems.

• A doctor may pay special attention to the common medical complications associated with specific disabilities (for example, cardiac, ophthalmologic, endocrine, orthopedic, and hematologic complications in Down syndrome).

• Some children with cognitive deficits have an increased risk of other medical problems including seizure disorders, sensory impairments (particularly visual deficits), cerebral palsy, feeding problems, and failure to thrive.

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