Identifying Pattern in Global Developmental Delay Children: A Retrospective Study at King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam (Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Global developmental delay (GDD) and intellectual disability are relatively common in pediatric neurology conditions. A retrospective study was designed to analyze risk factors and clinical features in children with GDD at our hospital. No previous data is available on GDD from Saudi Arabia. This study was conducted at king Fahad specialist hospital Dammam (KFSHD) of 134 GDD children (82, 61% males, 52, 39% females), (age 1-9 years). They were assessed by using Griffith Mental Development Scales for (0-2) years and 3-8 years old in locomotors, personal/social, communication, eye & hand co-ordination, performance and practical reasoning. Patients with ASD and non-cooperative behavior were excluded. 75% had developmental delay since birth while 84% had no problem during pregnancy. 22% had birth weight below 2.5 kg. 56% had epilepsy and 57 % had interfamily marriages. 51% were diagnosed cases in the present study. 40% had genetic cause, 25% had metabolic problem, 58% had neuroradiology abnormality and 45% had EEG abnormalities. There a variety of delays in development (speech and language variant, global delay, and the motor variant) noted and are commonly seen in a clinical practice in KFSHD. Longitudinal research beginning in early development will help to understand the developmental domains and neurological comorbidities in these children at high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Developmental Delays among Preschool Children in Saudi Arabia

“…(9) According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2011, less than half of pediatricians were utilizing a standardized development screening tool in their practice, half of parents assumed they were asked about their child's development, and only 21% of parents stated filling out a questionnaire. (10) Apart from a study of the domain of language and social development on pre-school children in Eastern Saudi Arabia (11) , and a recent, small, retrospective study including 134 children aged 1-9 years old, diagnosed with DDs to identify the risk factors for DDs (12) , not much data is available about the DDs in the Gulf or Saudi populations. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of DDs among pre-school children living in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and to determine the risk factors associated with DDs.…”

The prevalence of seizures in children with developmental delay

“…The precise prevalence of GDD is unknown, but it is estimated to be 1%-3%. 1 Several studies have proposed an association between GDD and epilepsy. 1 - 3 Seizures are common; 4-10% of children experience at least one episode of seizures.…”

“… 1 Several studies have proposed an association between GDD and epilepsy. 1 - 3 Seizures are common; 4-10% of children experience at least one episode of seizures. Abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain cause seizure and result in transient signs and/or symptoms.…”

“…Causes identified includes neuroradiology abnormalities in 58% of GDD children, 45% had abnormal EEG, genetic defects in 40%, and lastly metabolic disorders in one quarter of the participants. 1 …”

“…Causes identified includes neuroradiology abnormalities in 58% of GDD children, 45% had abnormal EEG, genetic defects in 40%, and lastly metabolic disorders in one quarter of the participants. 1 The aim of the present study is to examine the prevalence of epilepsy in children who visited a development clinic and the demographic characteristics of these patients. It will also examine the effects of other factors such as type of seizures, problems during pregnancy or labor, and advanced maternal or paternal age.…”