Early Detection of Developmental Delays in Hospitalized Children Aged 2 to 24 Months
Thoa Thi Kim Nguyen1, Hung Thanh Nguyen1, Quan Thuy Tien1
1University of Health Sciences - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Insights
Early developmental surveillance in hospitalized children in Vietnam found significant delays, particularly in motor and language skills. This highlights the need for integrated hospital-based screening and expanded community follow-up to improve child development outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Global Child Health
Background:
- The first two years of life are critical for child development, with early surveillance vital for timely intervention.
- Children in disadvantaged conditions or with illness face higher risks of developmental delays, yet detection in Vietnam is limited.
- Vietnam's national plan emphasizes primary healthcare's role in early childhood development and guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and characteristics of developmental delays in hospitalized children aged 2-24 months in Southern Vietnam.
- Utilized the Ministry of Health's 2023 standardized developmental surveillance checklist.
- Focused on children at a tertiary pediatric hospital.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated clinically stable inpatients before discharge.
- Developmental surveillance covered gross motor, fine motor, language-communication, and social-emotional domains.
- Children not meeting age-appropriate milestones were classified with suspected developmental abnormalities.
Main Results:
- 939 children aged 2-24 months were assessed; prevalence of suspected developmental abnormalities varied by age.
- Gross motor and language-communication delays were most frequent.
- Developmental vulnerability peaked at 6 months, with delays noted in motor, language, and social-emotional domains; anemia and stunting were common in 9-12 month olds.
Conclusions:
- Integrating standardized developmental surveillance into pediatric inpatient care is feasible and essential for early detection.
- Hospital-based surveillance offers a key opportunity for identifying developmental issues.
- Expansion of screening and follow-up to primary care and community settings in Vietnam is crucial.
Background:
The first 2 years of life are a critical period for a child's development. Early developmental surveillance in motor, language, social-emotional, and emerging cognitive domains plays an essential role in timely intervention and long-term outcomes. Children living in disadvantaged conditions or with acute illness are at higher risk for developmental delays, yet early detection in Vietnam remains limited. A national plan for comprehensive early childhood development has recently emphasized the role of primary healthcare and early interaction guidance.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence and characteristics of developmental delays among hospitalized children aged 2 to 24 months at a tertiary pediatric hospital in Southern Vietnam using the standardized developmental surveillance checklist issued by the Ministry of Health in 2023.
Methods:
We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in which clinically stable inpatients were evaluated prior to discharge. Developmental surveillance was performed using the Ministry of Health 2023 developmental surveillance checklist, which covers 4 domains (gross motor, fine motor, language-communication, and social-emotional development) at ages 2-4-6 months, 9 to 12 months, and 15 to 24 months. Children who did not achieve one or more age-appropriate milestones were classified as having suspected developmental abnormalities.
Results:
A total of 939 children aged 2 to 24 months were evaluated. The prevalence and pattern of suspected developmental abnormalities varied by age group. Gross motor and language-communication delays were the most frequent findings. Age-specific inspection revealed that developmental vulnerability was most pronounced at 6 months of age, particularly in gross motor, language-communication, and social-emotional domains, coinciding with a critical period of nutritional and biological transition; at 12 months, 76% could say at least 3 words, and by 18 months, 80.1% could say ≥20 single words. Some 24‑month‑old children had not yet achieved expected motor skills. Anemia and stunting were common, particularly in the 9- to 12‑month group.
Conclusion:
Integrating standardized developmental surveillance into inpatient pediatric care is both feasible and essential. Hospital-based developmental surveillance provides an important opportunity for early detection and referral, and highlights the need to expand screening and follow-up to primary care and community settings in Vietnam.
