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Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools
Published on: June 20, 2020
Office evaluation of the child with developmental delay
1Department of Neurology/Neurosurgery, McGill University, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Montreal Children's Hospital-McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec H3H 1P3, Canada. michael.shevell@muhc.mcgill.ca
Insights
This study outlines how to evaluate young children with developmental delays, focusing on accurate diagnosis and appropriate investigations. It provides guidance for healthcare providers to manage these cases effectively within clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Child Neurology
Background:
- Developmental delays are a significant concern in child health.
- These delays frequently necessitate referrals to pediatric subspecialists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To precisely categorize developmental delay subtypes in young children.
- To guide the selection of investigations for identifying underlying etiologies.
- To ensure comprehensive office assessments, including counseling, coexisting condition identification, and rehabilitation service provision.
Main Methods:
- Review of key features in patient history.
- Guidelines for physical examination of delayed children.
- Recommendations for selecting appropriate diagnostic investigations.
Main Results:
- Provides a structured approach to the office evaluation of young children with developmental delays.
- Offers practical guidance for clinicians facing time and practice constraints.
Conclusions:
- Effective evaluation of developmental delays requires precise categorization and rational investigation.
- Comprehensive assessment ensures optimal diagnosis, prognosis counseling, and intervention planning for affected children and families.
Abstract:
Developmental delays are a common problem in child health and a frequent reason for referral to a pediatric subspecialist. The office evaluation of the young delayed child has a number of objectives including primarily precisely categorizing the delay subtype together with rationally selecting investigations for determining a possible underlying etiology. Counseling the affected family regarding the diagnosis and its prognosis, identifying possible coexisting conditions that merit interventions, and ensuring appropriate rehabilitation service provision are also important objectives of this office assessment. An outline of the key features of the relevant history and physical examination together with guidelines regarding investigations are provided to best meet all these objectives within existing time and practice constraints.
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