What is GDD and how can help the hyperbaric chamber?

Generalized Developmental Disorders (GDD) are a group of associated cognitive and neurobehavioral disorders that affect the child’s growth in its early years. Although these disorders begin in childhood, they can be maintained until adulthood.

They have three main features:

• Deterioration in socialization.
• Impairments in verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Restrictive and repetitive behavior patterns.

Autism is the best known GGD. However, it is not the only one. Rett Syndrome, Arperger Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder not specified or Atypical Autism also fall into this classification.

The GGD has different causes. One of the most studied is genetics. There are many chances of developing the disorder if the child has an autosomal recessive inheritance or a frail X-linked inheritance.

Infections such as rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis and varicella during the first trimester of pregnancy can also affect the fetus during its development. Complications during delivery, such as ischemia, hypoxia, or intracranial hemorrhage, can cause a PDD.

Although the symptoms are always present before 3 years of age, it is usually not diagnosed until 2 or 3 years after they appear.

These are some of the signals of TGD:

1) The child is unable to communicate and interact. He struggles to understand others, express and recognize emotions and feelings (their own or others).

2) Do not look in the eyes, have trouble creating emotional bonds or find it difficult to hold a conversation.

3) Has an IQ higher than the average (in this case it is a lightweight GGD).

4) Has a slight, moderate or profound intellectual retardation (in this case we speak of a deep GGD).

5) Has a fairly selective memory. You can remember many details of topics that interest you, but do not pay attention to other issues.

6) It is difficult to maintain a proper rhythm, tone, volume and intonation.

7) Has a reduced vocabulary.

8) It is difficult for him to follow instructions.

9) Has difficulty developing fine motor skills and motor coordination.

10) Presents inadequate responses to sensory stimuli.

Early diagnosis of GDD increases the chances of achieving autonomy and improve communication with other people. The parents are the first to notice the signs, but the pediatrician is the one who can give a diagnosis in the medical controls.

How can treatment in a hyperbaric chamber helps?

Scientific studies suggest that the application of hyperbaric chamber helps the recovery and rehabilitation of children with neurological, socialization and development disorders, mainly because when breathing high doses of O2, hyperoxia increases the volume of dissolved oxygen in the blood plasma, which reaches the less irrigated tissues. Some authors indicate that in the brains of children with GDD there is a lower level of blood flow.

The treatment reduces edema, redistributes blood flow and improves cerebral oxygenation, reduces spasticity and tremors, improves cognitive function, neuroprotection and increases quality of life.