Causes of NDD

Causes of NDD

It is unlikely that any single factor can be identified as a cause. Usually, it is a combination of developmental and also environmental factors which lead to the persistence of primitive reflexes in the older child.

Indicators of NDD are not limited to the following:

Pregnancy

• Hyperemesis (severe sickness)
• Excessive alcohol consumption and/or drug abuse
• Severe stress
• Placental insufficiency (small for dates)
• Threatened miscarriage
• Severe viral infection during the first 12 weeks, or between 26-30 weeks
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Radiation
• Smoking
• Accident or infection
• Toxoplasmosis

Birth

• Prolonged or precipitive labour
• Cord around the neck
• Placenta praevia
• Breech presentation
• Caesarean
• Foetal distress
• High forceps or ventouse extraction
• Premature (more than 2 weeks early)
• Post-mature (more than 2 weeks late)

Newborn Disorders

• Low birth weigh (under 5 lbs)
• Requiring resuscitation
• Incubation
• Blue baby
• Distorted skull
• Heavy bruising
• Prolonged jaundice
• Problems with feeding during the first 6 months

Infancy

• Illnesses involving a high fever, delirium or convulsions in the first 18 months
• Difficulty learning to dress
• Adverse reaction to any of the vaccinations
• Thumb-sucking up until the age of 5 years or more
• Late learning to talk and/or walk (later than 18 months)
• Bed-wetting above the age of 5 years
• Severe allergic reactions
• History of recurrent ear, nose and throat infections