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Published on: March 4, 2018
A review of 404 'late walkers'
Insights
A study of 18-month-old children in Oxfordshire found that 32% of late walkers had underlying health issues. Early identification of developmental delays is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Neurology
Background:
- Late walking in infants can indicate underlying developmental or neurological issues.
- Early identification and assessment are vital for children with delayed motor milestones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of neurological and developmental abnormalities in 18-month-old "late walkers" in Oxfordshire.
- To assess the overall pathology rate among all identified late walkers in the study cohort.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 18-month-old children in Oxfordshire who had not yet walked unassisted was conducted.
- Health visitor referrals identified 275 children; 257 were assessed by a pediatrician for neurological and developmental status.
- A register of previously identified late walkers was compiled for comparison.
Main Results:
- Nine cases of cerebral palsy (3.5%) and 6 cases of minor neurological abnormality (2.3%) were newly diagnosed in the assessed group.
- Among all late walkers (404 children), the total incidence of pathology was 32%.
- 17 children were identified as normal late walkers, while 112 had known causes for their delayed walking.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of infants who walk late present with undiagnosed neurological or developmental conditions.
- This highlights the importance of comprehensive pediatric assessments for children with delayed motor development.
- The findings underscore the need for continued surveillance and early intervention strategies for late walkers.
Abstract:
A survey of all known 18 month old Oxfordshire children who had not yet walked unassisted and who were born in the four year period between July 1, 1976 and June 30, 1980 was carried out. A total of 275 children aged 18 months with no previously suspected cause for late walking were referred by health visitors; 257 of these children were assessed neurologically and developmentally by a paediatrician at home. Nine cases of cerebral palsy (3 X 5%) and 6 cases of minor neurological abnormality (2 X 3%) were newly diagnosed. A register of all other 18 month old 'late walkers' (129) who were already known to paediatricians and were either normal (17) or had known causes for late walking (112) was compiled for the same four year period. The total incidence of pathology among all late walkers (404) in these two groups was 32%.
