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Prevalence of suspected developmental delays in early infancy: results from a regional population-based longitudinal
Lisbeth Valla1, Tore Wentzel-Larsen2,3, Dag Hofoss4
1National Network for Infant Mental Health in Norway, Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern Norway, Oslo, Norway. Lisbeth.valla@r-bup.no.
Insights
Suspected developmental delays (SDD) affect 5.7–7.0% of Norwegian infants aged 4–12 months, with gross motor delays most common. Premature infants and boys showed higher rates of SDD, suggesting a need for tailored screening and interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric developmental screening
- Infant health surveillance
- Early intervention research
Background:
- Prevalence data on suspected developmental delays (SDD) in infants are limited, hindering effective early intervention planning.
- This study addresses the scarcity of prevalence estimates for SDD in young children.
- Understanding SDD prevalence is crucial for developing targeted support strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of SDD in Norwegian infants at 4, 6, and 12 months of age.
- To examine the associations between SDD and factors including gender, prematurity, and maternal education.
- To provide data for improving early intervention programs for infants.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study of 1555 Norwegian infants and their parents using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ).
- SDD was defined as scores below established cut-offs in communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, or personal-social domains.
- Chi-square tests were used to analyze associations between SDD and demographic factors, with corrected gestational age for preterm infants.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of SDD ranged from 5.7% to 7.0% using Norwegian cut-offs (10.3%–12.3% using US cut-offs) at 4, 6, and 12 months.
- Gross motor delays were the most prevalent across all age points.
- Prematurity was associated with communication delays (4 months) and fine motor/personal-social delays (6 months). Boys showed higher rates of fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social delays.
Conclusions:
- Norwegian infants aged 4–12 months exhibit SDD prevalence rates of 5.7%–7.0% (Norwegian cut-offs).
- Gross motor development is the most commonly affected area during the first year.
- Premature infants and boys require special attention due to higher SDD risks; separate ASQ norms for genders may be warranted.
Background:
Prevalence estimates on suspected developmental delays (SDD) in young infants are scarce and a necessary first step for planning an early intervention. We investigated the prevalence of SDD at 4, 6 and 12 months, in addition to associations of SDD with gender, prematurity and maternal education.
Methods:
This study is based on a Norwegian longitudinal sample of 1555 infants and their parents attending well-baby clinics for regular health check-ups. Moreover, parents completed the Norwegian translation of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) prior to the check-up, with a corrected gestational age being used to determine the time of administration for preterm infants. Scores ≤ the established cut-offs in one or more of the five development areas: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving and personal-social, which defined SDD for an infant were reported. Chi-square tests were performed for associations between the selected factors and SDD.
Results:
According to established Norwegian cut-off points, the overall prevalence of SDD in one or more areas was 7.0 % (10.3 % US cut-off) at 4 months, 5.7 % (12.3 % US cut-off) at 6 months and 6.1 % (10.3 % US cut-off) at 12 months. The highest prevalence of SDD was in the gross motor area at all three time points. A gestational age of < 37 weeks revealed a significant association with the communication SDD at 4 months, and with the fine motor and personal social SDD at 6 months. Gender was significantly associated with the fine motor and problem solving SDD at 4 months and personal- social SDD at 6 months: as more boys than girls were delayed. No significant associations were found between maternal education and the five developmental areas of the ASQ.
Conclusion:
Our findings indicate prevalence rates of SDD between 5.7 and 7.0 % in Norwegian infants between 4 and 12 months of age based on the Norwegian ASQ cut-off points (10.3-12.3 %, US cut-off points). During the first year of life, delay is most frequent within the gross motor area. Special attention should be paid to infants born prematurely, as well as to boys. Separate norms for boys and girls should be considered for the ASQ.
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