Risk factors of developmental delay among infants aged 6–18 months

ABSTRACT

Identifying children at the risk of developmental delay can improve their long-term prognosis. In this case–control study, mothers and infants aged 6–18 months referred to healthcare centres affiliated with Qazvin University of Medical Sciences were recruited from August to December 2017. The sample size consisted of 197 individuals in developmental delay group (n = 90) and normal development group (n = 107). Developmental status was measured using the Ages and Stage Questionnaire. The results of multivariate analysis indicated that the chances of a significant delay in development were increased 19 times in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus, 5 times in pregnancy anaemia, 5 times in preeclampsia, 9 times in case of maternal medical disorders. It is suggested that children born from high-risk pregnancies are given more attention in terms of developmental delay at an earlier age.

KEYWORDS:

• Child development
• developmental delay disorders
• high-Risk
• pregnancy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the vice chancellor Qazvin University of Medical Sciences under grant number 815.

Notes on contributors

Zahra Bajalan

Zahra Bajalan has been graduated as MSc of Midwifery. She is working as lecturer in midwifery department of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences since three years ago. Her research interest is children developmental delay.

Zainab Alimoradi

Zainab Alimoradi has been graduated as Ph.D of Reproductive Health since 2018 and now is working as Assistance Professor in Midwifery Department of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Her research interest is working on social determinants of health and it’s influence of different aspects of reproductive health including maternal child health.