Prevalence and factors affecting developmental delay among 0-6-year-old children attending immunization clinic

ABSTRACT

Background: Development in early childhood is an important determinant of health status in future life and any damage to brain in that period may affect quality of life. Reliable data regarding prevalence and predictors of developmental delay among under-5 children are required for combating this problem. Aim and Objective: Our study aimed at estimating proportion and determining predictors of developmental delay among 0–6-year-old children. Materials and Methods: An observational analytic study was conducted among 173 children (<6 years) attended in immunization clinic, medical college, Kolkata. Developmental status of children was assessed by Trivandrum Development Screening Chart. Sociodemographic parameters of children and their families were studied. Maternal morbidity and care during antenatal period as well as child morbidity and care during neonatal period were also assessed. Results: Proportion developmental delay among <6-year-old children was 26%. Maternal morbidity during antenatal period was revealed as significant predictor [AOR = 9.835 with 95% CI 3.089–31.314]. Childhood morbidity and hospitalization during neonatal period were also found to be significant determinants of developmental delay [AOR = 28.041 with 95% CI 8.826–89.089 and AOR = 28.286 with 95% CI 8.790–91.023, respectively]. Conclusion: Improvement of neonatal care resulted in much reduction in neonatal mortality rate at the cost of increase in prevalence of developmental delay. Hence, more emphasis is now to be given on early detection and intervention of developmental abnormalities. It is mandatory to focus not only on care during newborn period for reducing mortality but also on “care beyond survival” which is the sixth pillar of India Newborn Action Plan.