An Assessment of Risk Factors of Delayed Speech and Language in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

IntroductionCommunication is the exchange of information through speaking, writing, and other mediums. Speech is the expression of thoughts in spoken words. Language is the principal method that humans use for relaying information; consisting of words conveyed by speech, writing, or gestures. Language is the conceptual processing of communication. Problems in communication or oral motor function are called speech and language disorders. Developmental delay is diagnosed when a child does not attain normal developmental milestones at the expected age. Speech and/or language disorders are amongst the most common developmental difficulties in childhood. Such difficulties are termed 'primary' if they have no known etiology, and 'secondary' if they are caused by another condition such as hearing and neurological impairment, and developmental, behavioral, or emotional difficulties. ObjectivesThe objective of our study was to observe the risk factors for speech and language delay in the children presenting to the speech therapy clinic of a tertiary care hospital in a large urban center. MethodologyA cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 children presenting at the speech therapy clinic of Lahore General Hospital from July to August 2021. A well-designed questionnaire was used to collect data about the sociodemographic profile, and biological, developmental, and environmental risk factors of speech and language delay in children. SPSS, version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used to enter and analyze the data. ResultsParents or caretakers of a total of 98 male and 52 female children took part in this study aged 2-11 years. The average age of speech and language delay among the children was 5.65 years, 66.7% of which went to normal school while 31.3% went to special school; 66.7% were from urban areas. Around 60% had middle ear infections, and 34.7% were found to have oropharyngeal anomalies. A history of intrapartum complications was found in 68.4% of children; 46.7% of children had a history of use of a pacifier and 38% had a history of thumb sucking. Nearly 39% of children belonged to a multilingual family environment and 66.7% had a family history of screen viewing for more than two hours. ConclusionThe major risk factors contributing to speech and language delay in children are family history of speech and language delay, prolonged sucking habits, male gender, oropharyngeal anomalies, hearing problems, and middle ear infections. Measures should be taken to educate people regarding risk factors, courses, and management of speech and language delay in children.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Speech Delay in Children Less Than Seven Years Old in Saudi Arabia

“…For example, the concept of speech delay may be interpreted differently in Saudi Arabia than in other countries. Additionally, the lower prevalence may be due to a difference in the prevalence of risk factors for speech delay in Saudi Arabia compared to other countries [ 13 , 14 ].…”

“…This is in line with previous studies that have shown an association between parental education level and speech delay [ 16 ]. Lower parental education level is related to lower socioeconomic status, which in turn is associated with an increased risk of speech delay [ 13 ]. Lower socioeconomic status may be related to factors such as limited access to early intervention services, increased stress levels, and exposure to environmental toxins [ 13 ].…”

“…There are several risk factors for speech and language disorders in children, including family history, premature birth, low birth weight, male gender, and low socioeconomic status [ 13 ]. Otitis media, or middle ear infection, is also a risk factor because it can lead to hearing loss and difficulty with speech and language development [ 14 ].…”

Malocclusion impairs cognitive behavior via AgRP signaling in adolescent mice

“…Children with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome have a higher incidence rate of malocclusion and lower score of cognitive function than the healthy control ( Cai et al, 2013 ); those with chronic mouth breathing develop malocclusion that changes the shape of their face and mouth, and their cognitive and academic abilities decline as compared to the nasal breathing control group ( Kuroishi et al, 2015 ; Grippaudo et al, 2016 ). Thumb/digit sucking habits raise a child’s risk of increased overjet and open bite followed by malocclusion and speech and language delay ( Ling et al, 2018 ; Kumar et al, 2022 ). In this way, malocclusion-induced cognitive dysfunction is considered to be a serious health hazard not only to the elderly but also the young.…”

Association between interruption of intervention and language performance in young children with language delay—a cohort study during COVID-19 pandemic

“…Early identification and intervention can prevent language delay from interfering with formal education and behavioral adjustment (5). There have been numerous studies conducted to identify risk factors, predictors, and prevalence of language disorders in children (3,(6)(7)(8)(9)(10). Additionally, there is a considerable body of research focused on interventions for children with language delay (11)(12)(13).…”