Author/Authors :
Mondal، Nivedita نويسنده Department of Neonatology, Jawaharlal Institute of
Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry,
India , , Bhat، B.Vishnu نويسنده Department of Neonatology, Jawaharlal Institute of
Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry,
India , , Plakkal، Nishad نويسنده Department of Neonatology, Jawaharlal Institute of
Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry,
India , , Thulasingam، Mahalakshmy نويسنده Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal
Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER),
Puducherry, India , , Ajayan، Payyadakkath نويسنده Department of Pediatrics, Jawaharlal Institute of
Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry,
India , , Poorna، D.Rachel نويسنده Department of Pediatrics, Jawaharlal Institute of
Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry,
India ,
Abstract :
There is a large amount of data on the prevalence and risk factors
of speech and language delay from the West, but relatively scanty data
from India. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk
factors of speech and language delay in children less than three years
old, using the Langauge Evaluation Scale Trivandrum (LEST 0-3). A
descriptive, cross sectional study was conducted in the under-five
clinic of our institute, on a sample of 200 children, less than three
years old. Language was assessed using Language Evaluation Scale
Trivandrum (LEST 0-3) and development in other domains was assessed
using the Trivandrum Development Screening Chart (TDSC). The Home
Screening Questionnaire (HSQ) was used to assess the home environment.
Various biological and environmental risk factors were analyzed. The
prevalence of speech and language delay was found to be 27%. In
univariate analysis, parameters found to be significantly associated
with speech and language delay were male gender, poor home environment
(score ≤ 19 in the Home Screening Questionnaire) and family history of
speech and language delay. In multivariate analysis, poor home
environment (CI = 0.20 - 0.80, P = 0.01) and positive family history (CI
= 0.09 - 0.72, P = 0.01) were significant risk factors. There was a
significant association between delay in TDSC and speech delay. However,
TDSC alone had a low sensitivity of 33% in detecting speech and language
delay. Prevalence of speech and language delay is high (27%) in children
less than three years of age attending the Under-Five clinic for at-risk
children. Negative home environment and family history of speech and
language disorders are significant risk factors for speech and language
delay. The strong association of speech delay with delay in TDSC
reemphasizes the need for a complete developmental assessment in any
child with speech delay. The TDCS alone fails to detect significant
number of cases of speech delay, showing the need to perform a separate
speech screening test.
