Screening for Developmental Disorders in 4 to 60 Months Old Children in Iran (2015–2016)

Abstract

Developmental delay occurs when children fail to reach their developmental milestones at the appropriate time. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of developmental disorders as well as their correlations with selected demographic factors affecting development in children 4 to 60 months old in Khorramabad, Iran from 2015 to 2016. In this cross-sectional study, 500 children from 4 to 60 months of age and visiting health service centers were selected. Developmental status was measured using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, and supplementary data were collected by separate questionnaires. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software using the independent t-test, chi-square test, and Mann–Whitney U test. Note that 8.6% of the children assessed in this study had developmental disorders. The mean age of the children in the normal group was 21.95 ± 16.42 months and in the developmental delay group was 16 ± 13.46 months. The highest prevalence of developmental delay was in the fine motor area (4.2%) and the lowest was in the personal–social area (1.4%). There were correlations between developmental disorder and the child's age (p = 0.006), birth order (p = 0.02), mother's education (p = 0.007), and father's education (p = 0.002). The parents' age, familial marriage, history of developmental disorders in the family, and the child's gender were not correlated with developmental disorders. Due to the high prevalence of developmental disorders and the importance of early identification and intervention, it is necessary to diagnose developmental disorders at early ages.

Screening for Developmental Delays in Children 2-36 Months of Age in a Primary Health Care Center in Cairo, Egypt

“…This is in alignment with a study done in Iran in 2017 on 500 children aged 4 to 60 months the prevalence of developmental delay was 8.5%. (11) While it is lower than the frequency found in a study conducted in multiple PHC centers in Saudi Arabia in 2020 done on 948 children 16.4%. (13) These differences could be attributed to differences in the screening tools used as well as the study setting.…”

“…(14) However, in a study conducted by Ahmadipour in Iran the fine motor domain revealed the largest number of delayed children. (11) These differences could be attributed to difference in cultural factors. Some cultures believe motor development (like sitting and walking) is the most important indicator of a child's health thus focusing on helping their children develop these skills.…”

“…In the current study children born first to the third order of birth have higher social score .These findings agree with a study in Iran that concluded that developmental delay is more prevalent in children with higher order of birth. (11) This may be attributed to the fact that parents spend more time teaching and engaging with the first couple of children but as the order of birth increases so does the mother's load to care for her children. Children with a higher order of birth typically have older, more tired, and more busy mothers.…”

“…The prevalence of developmental delay was 8.6%, There were correlations between developmental delay and the child's age, birth order, mother's education, and father's education. (11) The family physician role is crucial in child development. Primary healthcare professionals are better placed than any other occupational group in terms of frequency of contact with individuals in society.…”