PREVALANCE OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS IN CHILDREN AND IT’S ASSOCIATED CAUSATIVE FACTORS

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to check the prevalence of developmental delays in children and its associated causative factors.

Study Design:  A Cross-Sectional Study.

Place and Duration of the Study: Allied Hospital Faisalabad Pakistan, Allied Hospital II Faisalabad Pakistan, Children Hospital Faisalabad Pakistan, Aziz Fatima hospital Faisalabad Pakistan, between February to April 2024.

Method:  This study was involved 137 children, age range 3 to 60 months. Data collected from the patients’ guardian by taking informed consent. Ages and Stages Questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants that came in Physiotherapy department with the complains of developmental delay. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis.

Results: The result of the study showed that gross motor delays (78.83%) are more prominent. Second most prevalent developmental delays was personal social (59.85%) and communication delays (58.39%) with the least prevalent developmental delays was fine motor (57.67%), and problem solving (56.93%). Children from lower socio-economic backgrounds at higher risk for developmental.

Conclusion: Socio-economic factors play a crucial role and delays due to limited access to resources, inadequate nutrition, and increased exposure to stress was associated with developmental delay.