Screening for Developmental Delays in Children 0-3 years of age in a Primary Health Care Setting in Cairo Egypt

Abstract

Background: Developmental delays (DDs) in children are increasing in frequency and necessitate routine screening of young children for early recognition and management. Objective(s): To estimate the frequency of developmental delays among children 0-3 years of age and determine the associated factors in Saraya El Koba primary care center in Cairo, Egypt. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved a total of 193 children at the ages 2 to 36 months. Data were collected using the official Arabic version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3) to assess five domains of development (Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Language and Communication, Problem-Solving and Adaptive Behavior, and Personal and Social Performance). Parents’ characteristics and risk factors related to DDs were included. Results: Overall frequency of children with DDs was 9.33%. The most prevailing DDs were the communication and gross motor(3.11%each). Lower rates of DDs were identified for fine motor (1.04%). Girls scored higher than boys in problem solving domain (p=0.037).First to third order of birth had higher scores in communication and social scores (p =0.025,0.003 respectively). Mothers with higher education had children with higher fine motor and total developmental scores (p<0.001 and 0.014 respectively). Conclusion: The study recognized a high frequency of DDs especially for communication and gross motor skills. It recognized a number of modifiable risks factors and recommended early screening of preschool children for prompt recognition and timely intervention.