Idiocy - Symptoms, Treatment, Forms, Stages, Diagnosis

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Idiocy

The content of the article:

1. Causes and risk factors
2. Forms of the disease
3. Disease stages
4. Symptoms
5. Diagnostics
6. Treatment
7. Possible complications and consequences
8. Forecast
9. Prevention

Idiocy (idiocy) is the most severe degree of mental retardation (oligophrenia), which can be caused by both congenital and acquired factors. The incidence is approximately the same among men and women. Idiocy is characterized by a mental defect that is present from birth or early childhood.

Idiocy (idiocy) - deep mental retardation

Causes and risk factors

The causes of congenital idiocy can be gene or chromosomal (aberration) mutations. In addition, the development of the disease is facilitated by:

• exposure to adverse environmental factors during pregnancy;
• infectious diseases transferred by a pregnant woman;
• bad habits of the mother;
• insufficient nutrition of a pregnant woman (including vegetarianism);
• premature pregnancy;
• iodine deficiency;
• a child's brain injury during childbirth.

The hereditary factor and the psychological state of a woman during pregnancy are of no small importance.

Forms of the disease

Idiocy is divided into two main forms - torpid and excitable. In addition, taking into account clinical signs, the disease is classified as follows:

• idiocy Teya - Sachs (early childhood);
• children's late;
• amaurotic;
• youthful;
• late;
• hydrocephalic;
• thymic;
• myxedema; etc.

Disease stages

There are four stages of idiocy, which are correlated with indicators of intellectual development:

1. Lightweight.
2. Moderate.
3. Heavy.
4. Deep.

Symptoms

Idiocy has a similar clinical picture, regardless of the form of the disease. Children are characterized by a clear lag in both physical and mental development. Such children are characterized by impulsiveness, irritability, lack of independence, violation of abstract thinking, emotional underdevelopment. Meaningful speech is absent or extremely poorly developed; patients with idiocy are incapable of self-service. There may be coordination disorders, a decrease in all types of sensitivity. The severity of symptoms depends on the form and stage of the disease, as well as on the individual characteristics of the patient.

Systemic intellectual impairment is characteristic of idiocy

The disease is often combined with pathologies of physical development (malformations of internal organs, fusion of fingers, six-fingered hand, etc.).

Early signs of idiocy include:

• lack of response or inappropriate response to others;
• systemic impairment of intelligence;
• attacks of unmotivated aggression;
• lack of emotion;
• lethargy, inactivity;
• fecal and urinary incontinence.

Children with idiocy learn late to hold their heads, sit, stand, walk; they may not learn certain skills at all.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of idiocy is established on the basis of anamnesis data, an objective examination of the child, an assessment of mental development using questionnaires, special age scales, and conversation. In addition, a computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the head, genetic research is indicated.

Differential diagnosis of idiocy with long-term asthenic disorder, pedagogical neglect, as well as a number of mental illnesses (schizophrenia, epilepsy), which can occur in early childhood and, in the absence of adequate treatment, lead to pronounced intellectual disorders, is required.

Treatment

Idiocy cannot be cured. Patients need constant supervision in psychiatric hospitals, psycho-neurological boarding schools or in homes for the disabled. Patients need full care, as well as escort during walks. To alleviate the course of the disease, symptomatic therapy is used. Outbreaks of aggression are controlled by sedatives. In addition, patients with idiocy are prescribed drugs that improve brain function (neurometabolic stimulants), vitamins. In some cases, physiotherapy provides a good effect.

People with idiocy are prescribed drugs that improve brain function

Possible complications and consequences

Patients with idiocy cannot adapt to society. Outbreaks of aggression inherent in patients can cause socially dangerous behavior. In the absence of symptomatic (supportive) treatment, the quality of life of patients deteriorates significantly.

Forecast

Irreversible intellectual disability is characteristic of idiocy. Patients are not capable of independent life, they need round-the-clock supervision and care. The average life expectancy of patients depends on the form and stage of the disease and is 20-50 years. In a number of cases, with significant immune, metabolic and (or) biochemical disorders, patients die in early childhood.

Prevention

In order to prevent the development of idiocy in a child, pregnant women are recommended to adhere to a number of the following measures:

• systematic examination of a pregnant woman by an obstetrician-gynecologist;
• getting enough sleep;
• balanced diet;
• sufficient physical activity;
• rejection of bad habits;
• blood pressure control;
• genetic testing and regular prenatal diagnostics of the fetus;
• prevention of infectious diseases;
• qualified management of childbirth by a doctor.

Anna Aksenova Medical journalist About the author

Education: 2004-2007 "First Kiev Medical College" specialty "Laboratory Diagnostics".

The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!