Post-natal influences are those conditions which affects the child after birth and that result in handicap. Such post-natal influences include;
- Childhood disease such as whooping cough, chicken pox and jaundice.
- Blows to the head
- Harsh climate conditions
- Poisonous and chemicals when taken in error
- Accidents
- Social and environmental conditions - A child from poor home will not have television, book and enough play materials for stimulation.
- Slaps to the eye or ear
- Marriage between in compatible (e.g carriers of sickle cell trace) couple.
- River blindness - when bitten by a tiny black fly carrier
- Self medication
Prevention of handicap
You can help in the prevention that could cause handicapping condition pre- and post-natal influences. Some ways of preventing handicap are
- Genetic counseling- couples who are much older should be discouraged from having babies
- Self-medications should be discouraged
- Improved health care- improved health care and good medical attention for pregnant mother's and babies
- Encourage immunization of mother and babies
- Pregnant mother's should be encouraged to take balanced diet
- Children should be provided with Rich and stimulating environment.
The pre-natal influences that could result in handicapping conditions include;
- Genetic factors
- Malnutrition
- Drugs
- Poor health of pregnant mothers
- High blood pressure in pregnant mothers
- Prematurity of the baby
- Post maturity - when the baby over stays in the womb.