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
