Factors Associated with Language Delay in 12-Month-to-3-Year-Old Children-A Real-World Vietnam Case-Control Study

Area of Science:

• Developmental Pediatrics
• Child Psychology
• Linguistics

Background:

• Language delay (LD) affects 1 in 14 preschoolers, impacting communication and cognition.
• The critical period for language development is 12-36 months, necessitating early risk factor identification.
• Limited data exists on LD factors in Vietnamese children aged 12-36 months.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify factors associated with language delay in Vietnamese children aged 12-36 months.
• Investigate the impact of environmental and familial factors on early language acquisition.

Main Methods:

• Case-control study with 55 children with LD and 55 controls (12-36 months).
• Data collected via structured questionnaires on personal, familial, medical, and environmental factors.
• Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used.

Main Results:

• Screen use for calming/occupation was the strongest risk factor (OR = 36.6).
• Early bilingual exposure significantly protected against LD (OR = 0.12).
• Shared reading/picture viewing showed a protective effect (OR = 0.23).

Conclusions:

• Limiting non-interactive screen time is crucial for preventing LD.
• Promoting early bilingualism and interactive reading activities supports language development.
• Findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions in early childhood language development.