PP02.12 – 2719: Assessment of speech and language delay among 0–3 year old children attending well baby clinics using Language Evaluation Scale Trivandrum (LEST 0–3)

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Objective 0–3 years children seem to be at increased risk for speech and language disorders. Methods Parents of 202 children within age 0–3 years (141 male, 61 female) completed screening questionnaires and the child was evaluated on the language scale. The screening battery included the Risk Factor Assessment Questionnaire for socio demographic profile, Home Screening Questionnaire (HSQ) and LEST. Children with disabilities were excluded. Results Twelve children (5.9%) screened positive for LEST delay. Among them 10 children (83.3%) had negative home environment while 2 children (16.7%) had positive environment on Home Screening Questionnaires. Of the 12 children who showed LEST delay 8 (66.7%) were boys and 4 (33.3%) were girls. LEST total delay showed a similar trend on the basis of religion as 8 (66.7%) were Hindus and 4 (33.3%) were Muslims. The overall socio economic status of majority of families was 73 (38.4%) lower middle class with 7 (58.3%) showing LEST delay. The mean age of mother in case of LEST delay was 23.42 (SD 2.234) and mean age of father in case of LEST delay was 26.42 (SD 2.644). The average birth weight noticed was 3158.33 grams (SD 511.163) with P value 0.047. There was no significant relation with gestational age and the LEST delay as 11 (91.7%) of the children were born at term and 1 (8.3%) was born preterm. There was relation in LEST delay and place of residence as 10 (83.3%) were urban dwellers and 2 (18.7%) were from rural background. Conclusion Our results indicate a higher prevalence of speech and language delay in children with negative home environment compared to the general population prevalence. The speech and language delay was associated with male child. There was more so prevalence in urban children without any relation to the preterm gestation. Our findings support the simultaneous use of more than one screening tests in order to increase screening sensitivity