Yield of Diagnostics in Children with Global Developmental Delay in Longford and Athlone Z Barsoum, F Sharif

Abstract

Background: Yield of diagnostics in global developmental delay remains variable. To date we do not have an estimate of this in patients with global developmental delay in Longford and Athlone. This study was therefore undertaken to determine diagnostic yield in this sample of patients.Objective: To determine the yield of diagnostics in children with developmental delay enrolled with the Early Intervention Team in Longford and Athlone Methods : A retrospective chart review was carried out on all children with global developmental delay in Longford and Athlone who are enrolled in Early Intervention Teams in these areas Results: A total of 38 patients were referred for assessment. Five had to be excluded as they did not undergo diagnostic assessment. A total of 33 were included in this study. Twenty were male(60%) and thirteen were female(40%). The diagnostic yield was 49%. If those diagnosed with Down Syndrome were excluded, the yield was 34%. Prematurity was the cause of developmental delay in18%. Abnormal neurological findings were seen in 33%. Of all those with predominant physical disability, 9%had abnormal neuroimaging. Post natal infections were the cause of developmental delay in 6%.Conclusions: The diagnostic yield in developmental delay remains variable. A detailed history and thorough clinical examination can identify children requiring detailed investigations. The yield of our routine investigations in this sample was 49%which would be similar to other studies.