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Identifying pattern in global developmental delay children: A retrospective study at King Fahad specialist hospital,
Hafiz Habibullah1, Raidah Albradie1, Shahid Bashir1
1Pedartic Neurology, Neuroscience Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Global developmental delay (GDD) affects many children, with risk factors including epilepsy and genetic causes. Early identification and longitudinal research are crucial for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Clinical Genetics
Background:
- Global developmental delay (GDD) and intellectual disability are common in pediatric neurology.
- Limited data exists on GDD in Saudi Arabia.
- This study addresses the gap by analyzing GDD in Saudi children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze risk factors and clinical features of GDD in children.
- To establish baseline data for GDD in Saudi Arabia.
- To inform future research and clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 134 children (age 1-9 years) diagnosed with GDD at King Fahad Specialist Hospital Dammam.
- Assessment using Griffith Mental Development Scales.
- Exclusion of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and non-cooperative behavior.
Main Results:
- 75% had delay since birth; 84% had uncomplicated pregnancies.
- Significant prevalence of epilepsy (56%) and consanguineous marriages (57%).
- Identified causes included genetic (40%), metabolic (25%), neuroradiology abnormalities (58%), and EEG abnormalities (45%).
Conclusions:
- GDD presents with diverse delays (speech, global, motor) in clinical practice.
- Risk factors identified include epilepsy, consanguinity, genetic, metabolic, and neurological abnormalities.
- Longitudinal research is recommended to understand developmental domains and comorbidities in high-risk children.
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.