Question
What are the early symptoms of neonatal mental retardation?
Answer
Mild mental retardation typically refers to functional impairment rather than structural damage to the brain. It may be difficult to detect specific issues in children from birth to around one year old. It is not until the child begins to walk and speak that differences may become apparent. Therefore, if parents suspect their child’s intellectual development is problematic, they may hold out hope that it is just a temporary situation, as normal children can also have slower development. However, as time goes on, differences between children will become more pronounced. If there is a feeling that the child’s development is different, it is advisable to seek an early intelligence test at a hospital.