Development delay in infants and young children

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence and risk factors of developmental delay in infants and young children seen at Paediatric Neurology Clinic in Children's Hospital, Islamabad. It was a retrospective case analysis. Children's Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad between January and December, 1995. Three hundreds and eighty three children presented with developmental delay. Motor delay [88 percent] and mental retardation [72 percent] were the commonest disabilities. The most important risk factors included cerebral palsy [38 percent] and neurodegenerative disorders [33 percent]. Developmental delay in infants and children is a significant problem. Improvements in primary health care, prenatal and perinatal services can play an important role in prevention