Developmental medicine and dentistry reviews & reports: American academy of developmental medicine and dentistry.
Message from the Editor: In this issue of the Reviews &
Reports, Dr. Kouris reports on a neurodevelopmental disorder known as
"Toxic Brain Injury." Dr Kouris discusses several toxins which
when exposed to in childhood can lead to childhood-onset brain
dysfunction. Examples include lead, mercury, and polychlorinated
biphenyls polychlorinated biphenyls, (pol´ēklôr´ nā´tid bīfē´n (PCB's). Other important examples include alcohol,
cocaine, and tobacco smoke. Regarding the latter, it is not generally
appreciated that there is mounting evidence that fetal exposure to
maternal tobacco smoke may contribute to mental retardation mental retardation, below average level of intellectual functioning, usually defined by an IQ of below 70 to 75, combined with limitations in the skills necessary for daily living. , cerebral
palsy cerebral palsy (sərē`brəl pôl`zē), disability caused by brain damage before or during birth or in the first years, resulting in a loss of voluntary muscular control and coordination. , epilepsy and autism autism (ô`tĭzəm), developmental disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills, and reasoning. . Health care providers and the general public
need to be aware of this possibility.
--Philip May, MD
COPYRIGHT 2007 EP Global Communications, Inc.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2007 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
|
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion