title: Applied biomedical research in mental retardation--prevention.
abstract: Prevention of mental retardation is discussed in terms of etiology and level of prevention (primary, secondary or tertiary). The aim of primary preventive medicine is to avert the disease before its onset. Secondary preventive medicine involves early identification and treatment of a disease to reduce its duration and/or severity. Tertiary prevention limits the degree of disability and fosters rehabilitation in chronic diseases. Prevention of mental retardation relies heavily on primary and secondary preventive techniques. Generally, preventive techniques related to organically caused mental retardation are secondary. Attempts are made to identify and treat impairments which cause deficient mental functioning. Since such impairments can occur at any time and are not always observable, routine developmental screening is recommended. A two-stage developmental screening procedure developed by the authors consists of an abbreviated version of the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) followed by the full DDST when indicated. Primary preventive techniques are appropriate for the prevention of environmentally-caused mental retardation. If negative environmental influences can be identified and eliminated early, socio-cultural mental retardation might be averted or if identified early may be decreased to prevent the retardation process. To meet the need for an environmental screening instrument, the authors developed the Home Screening Questionnaire (HSQ). A combined developmental/environmental screening process is recommended.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012106:Research