Abstract
Despite a number of studies on the risk factors of developmental delay (DD) in children conducted in developed countries, Polish data are scarce, which hinder an early diagnosis and initiation of prevention/control measures. Objective: To assess selected risk factors of DD in infants. A case-control survey was conducted in 2017–2018 on 50 infants (≤1 year old) with DD and 104 healthy controls from three outpatient clinics in Szczecin, Poland. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire distributed among mothers. The most common risk factors in infants with DD were: Caesarian section (68%), infections (46%), and chronic diseases during pregnancy (48%). DD was significantly correlated with maternal infections and chronic diseases during pregnancy (both: p < 0.001), caesarian section (p < 0.001), preterm birth (p = 0.004), birth weight <2500 g (p = 0.03), Apgar score ≤7 (p < 0.01), prolonged hyperbilirubinemia (p < 0.001), and no breast-feeding (p = 0.04). This study reinforces multiple etiologies of DD. Preventive strategies regarding DD in Polish infants should focus on the pre/peri/postnatal risk factors identified in this study. Strategies that prevent and control such risk factors and those on early detection and intervention in high-risk infants are highly recommended.
Highlights
Child development is influenced by bio-medical and socio-cultural factors that continuously interact [1,2]
Preventive strategies regarding developmental delay (DD) in Polish infants should focus on the pre/peri/postnatal risk factors identified in this study
There were no significant differences between groups in terms of maternal age and education level, presence of more than one child in the family, and socio-economic status of the family
Summary
Child development is influenced by bio-medical and socio-cultural factors that continuously interact [1,2]. An important component of the total development in infancy is motor development, which remains a significant manifestation of functionality and integrity of the central nervous system. Any deviation regarding this type of development can be the first sign of other developmental disorders [3,4]. According to Karsimzadeh, development refers to those variations that a child achieves during life in order to develop physically, mentally, verbally, and socially. Baker [6] defines DD in children as a term referring to individuals who do not show the expected developmental properties according to their age This encompasses neurodevelopmental, emotional, and behavioral disorders that have broad and serious adverse impacts on psychological and social well-being
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