Referral Profile of Developmental Disabilities at a Tertiary Care Hospital in a Resource-limited Country

Area of Science:

• Child Development
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Neuro-developmental disabilities present a significant challenge in Low Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
• Understanding referral patterns is crucial for resource allocation and intervention strategies in child development centers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the referral profile and trends of neuro-developmental disabilities.
• To identify the most common diagnoses and demographic patterns in a Pakistani child development center.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 1340 children (1 month to 18 years) evaluated between 2012 and 2021.
• Data collection included diagnostic evaluations for suspected neuro-developmental disabilities.

Main Results:

• The mean age at presentation was 5.4 ± 3.0 years, with a male to female ratio of 3:1.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was the most frequent diagnosis, accounting for 33.3% (n=446) of cases.
• A considerable burden and an increasing trend of referrals for developmental disabilities were observed.

Conclusions:

• There is a substantial and growing burden of neuro-developmental disabilities in Pakistan.
• ASD is a primary concern, necessitating targeted interventions and further research.
• The findings underscore the need for enhanced diagnostic and support services for children with developmental disabilities in LMICs.