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Evaluation children with global developmental delay: a prospective study at sultan qaboos university hospital, oman
Roshan Koul1, Mohammed Al-Yahmedy, Amna Al-Futaisi
1Department of Child Health, Neurology Division, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultanate of Oman.
Insights
This study identified the causes of global developmental delay (GDD) in Omani children, finding that Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) significantly aids in detecting abnormalities and determining etiology.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Genetics
Background:
- Global developmental delay (GDD) is a significant concern in pediatric healthcare.
- Limited data exists on the risk factors and clinical features of GDD in Oman.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze risk factors and clinical features of GDD in children under five.
- To determine the underlying etiology of GDD in a pediatric cohort.
- To establish baseline data for GDD in Oman.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study conducted at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.
- Included 110 children aged 5 years or less with suspected GDD.
- Excluded children with neurodegenerative disease or muscular dystrophy.
Main Results:
- An underlying etiology was identified in 71.8% of cases.
- Perinatal history and abnormal neurological examination were significant factors.
- Abnormal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), CT scans, and metabolic screening were strongly associated with detecting etiology.
Conclusions:
- The etiology of GDD was detected in a majority of children studied.
- MRI emerged as the most significant investigation for identifying abnormalities contributing to GDD.
Objective:
A prospective study was designed to analyze risk factors and clinical features in children with global developmental delay (GDD) at our hospital. No previous data is available on GDD from Oman.
Methods:
This study was conducted at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital from January 2008 until June 2009. All the children aged 5 years or less, referred with suspected GDD were included in the study. Data was analyzed to determine the underlying etiology. The children with neurodegenerative disease and muscular dystrophy were excluded from the study.
Results:
One hundred and ten children, 59 males (53.6%) and 51 females (46.4%) were included in the study. The mean age at initial evaluation was 13.29 months. An underlying etiology was determined in 79 (71.8%) children. Perinatal history was associated with significant difference in detection of etiology (p=0.039). Abnormal neurological examination was a significant factor in detection of the underlying etiology. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 105 children and metabolic screening in 93 children were the most frequently ordered investigations. Abnormal imaging, MRI (p=0.001), CT scan (p=0.036) and metabolic screening (p=0.034) were significantly associated with detection of etiology.
Conclusion:
Etiology was detected in 71.8% of the children. MRI was the most significant investigation to detect the abnormality.