Research Paper: Risk Factors of Idiopathic Language Development Disorders in Children

Background: Language Development Disorders (LDD) is a common idiopathic impairment in children. Numerous risk factors play a role in the emergence of this disorder. Objectives: The present study aimed to examine risk factors of LDD in children aged two to five years. Materials & Methods: In this case-control study, 98 children (aged two to five years) with LDD and 98 children without LDD were selected as case and control groups, respectively. Research population comprised children with language development disorder diagnosed by a pediatric neurologist, and the control group consisted of children without this disorder. Risk factors affecting LDD were examined in both groups, and the two groups were compared using Chi-squared and independent samples t-test in SPSS V. 22. Results: Results showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of weight at birth and at the last visit; parents’ age, education level, language, and occupation; level and hours of access to television and cell phone; place of residence; birth order of children, and going to the kindergarten (P>0.05). However, the two groups significantly differed in terms of a positive family history. Mean age of the onset of developmental behaviors was significantly higher in the case than that in the control group (P<0.05). A positive family history raised the risk of developing LDD by 4.45-fold. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between the age of head control and uttering the first word and the incidence of LDD (P<0.05). Conclusion: The identification of risk factors for language development disorders in children, including a positive family history, can help better identify, diagnose, and treat these patients. Also, the age of uttering the first word and head control can affect the emergence of LDD.