Discovering the world of children with special needs.

A child whose behaviour pushes you away is a child who needs connection before anything else.

As paediatric doctors, you are at the forefront of providing care and treatment to children of all ages. Every day you encounter numerous children with developmental behavioural disorders. In your pursuit to provide the best care to them, it becomes essential for you to understand the complexities of developmental behavioural disorders.  

About 5% of 10-year-olds are thought to have conduct disorder, with boys outnumbering girls by 4 to 1. Around one-third of children with conduct disorder also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). (Source) 

Addressing developmental disabilities and developmental special needs in children requires proper analysis of the disorder. This is where hair mineral analysis proves to be a game changer. It is a fantastic diagnostic tool for developmental disorders. We will discuss more about this tool and its insights on the mineral status of children and potential links to developmental disorders. 

In this blog, we will delve into the world of developmental behavioural disorders and explore key insights that will enhance your understanding and approach while working with young patients. 

What is developmental behavioural disorder?  

Developmental behavioural disorders are disruptive behavioural patterns found amongst children that last for 6 months and cause problems in school and at home. It is usual for a child to be hyperactive and naughty, but some children cross the norm and are highly restless and have peculiar behavioural traits. 

Types of developmental behavioural disorders  

The most common behavioural disorders in children are: 

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Conduct disorder (CD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ADHD is a disorder that causes difficulty in focusing attention. It also causes hyperactivity and impulsivity in children. Developmental paediatricians adhd have to be accurate in diagnosing ADHD in children.

There are three subtypes of ADHD. Depending on the symptoms the child has. ADHD is segregated into:

• Inattentive type
• Hyperactive-impulsive type 
• Combined type

A child with the inattentive type may have the following symptoms:

• Find it difficult to pay attention 
• Becomes easily distracted 
• Have difficulty focussing on tasks 
• Start tasks but forgets to finish them
• Appear not to listen to instructions or to forget them

A child with hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD may:

• Find it difficult to remain still and composed 
• Run around and climb things when it is not appropriate 
• Frequently interrupt conversations or games
• Have difficulty waiting for their turn 
• Have trouble talking or playing quietly

A child with combined ADHD has a mixture of the above symptoms. 

Conduct disorder

Those with conduct disorder tend to violate social norms and the rights of others. The symptoms of CD are:

• Being aggressive and getting into fights 
• Destruction of property 
• Lying or tricking others 
• Breaking the rules, not going to school, and running away

How does hair mineral help in the assessment of developmental behavioural disorders?

Now we will examine how hair mineral analysis helps children with special developmental needs. We will also share insights on how HMA can assist neurodevelopmental paediatricians in analysing and treating children with developmental behavioural disorders. 

Identifying nutritional imbalances 

Hair mineral analysis reveals mineral deficiencies and excess in the body, offering insights into the nutritional status and imbalances. Deficiencies in essential minerals like zinc, copper, iron and magnesium have been linked to developmental behavioural disorders. By assessing these mineral levels, you can tailor dietary recommendations and supplements depending on the needs of every child.  

Detecting heavy metal toxicity 

Exposure to heavy metals like lead, arsenic and mercury could lead to symptoms of developmental behavioural disorder. Hair mineral analysis can detect these toxic metals and determine the exposure extent. Identifying and addressing heavy metal toxicity can contribute to improved neurodevelopmental outcomes. 

Assessing metabolic dysregulation 

Hair mineral analysis can evaluate metabolic dysfunctions that may contribute to developmental behavioural disorders. Abnormalities in mineral transport and metabolism and also imbalances in essential fatty acids have been linked to these disorders. By understanding these imbalances, you can develop targeted treatment plans and support the child's overall metabolic health. 

Conclusion  

We have shed light on developmental behavioural disorders, their types and what factors paediatricians should consider while treating children with developmental behavioural disorders. 

Adding hair mineral analysis into your diagnostic and treatment protocols can provide helpful information into the underlying physiological factors that cause developmental behavioural disorders in children. Hair mineral analysis provides valuable insights into nutritional deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity and metabolic dysfunctions, which will help paediatricians make better decisions in devising personalised treatment plans to treat developmental behavioural disorders in kids.