An overview of non-genetic intellectual disability among Egyptian children and adolescents

Background: Intellectual Disability has gained greater emphasis than all other developmental disabilities. It is essential for early detection and intervention of ID to classify children at high risk of non-genetic ID, which would support both clinical practice and public health. Its etiology has been investigated in several studies, with limited information from developing countries. This study aimed to estimate etiology, sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors, and co-morbidities related to ID. Methods: 134 children and adolescents with ID were included in the study fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for ID according to DSM-5. A structured questionnaire focusing on demographic, socioeconomic, pre, and postnatal variables was administered to parents of children and adolescents by trained interviewers. Results: The mean age was 8.25 +/- 3.37 years, 76.1% males, 39.6% mild ID, 29.9% moderate, 26.1% severe ID, and 4.5% profound ID. Advanced maternal age above 35 years (AOR = 6.79; 95% CI = 2.05-22.46; P = 0.001), lack of prenatal care during pregnancy (AOR = 0.131; 95% CI = 0.131; P = 0.007), prematurity (AOR = 8.494; 95% CI = 1.08-66.84; P = 0.042), perinatal anoxia (AOR = 43.549; 95% CI = 2.25-842.99; P = 0.013) and autism (AOR 9.160; 95% CI = 1.57-53.37; P = 0.014) were significantly independent factors associated with increased risk of severe/profound nongenetic ID. Conclusion: This study's findings suggest a complex interaction between prenatal, perinatal, neonatal, and socioeconomic disadvantages and severe form of ID, suggesting that with effective antenatal, perinatal, and neonatal healthcare measures, this incidence can be minimized.