Co-occurrence of developmental delays in a screening study of 4-year-old Finnish children.

Abstract

The aim of this population study was to examine the severity and prevalence of co-occurring developmental delays in 4-year-old children, the rate of overlapping problems, and sex differences. A sample of 434 children (196 males, 238 females; mean age 4 years 3 months, SD 1 month) were administered the 'Lene' test: a comprehensive neurodevelopmental screening test. Results suggest that co-occurrence of attention-behavioural, motor-perceptual, and language delays occurring in school-aged children could already be detected at the age of 4 years. Isolated delays were usually mild, but co-occurring difficulties were mostly moderate or severe. Overlap between developmental delays depended on the severity of the problems. It emerged that males had more severe and more often co-occurring problems than females. Co-occurrence of developmental delays as a risk factor at the early stage of development is discussed.

• Authors: Riitta Valtonen, Timo Ahonen, Paula Lyytinen, Heikki Lyytinen
• Journal: Developmental medicine and child neurology (Dev Med Child Neurol) Vol. 46 Issue 7 Pg. 436-43 (Jul 2004) ISSN: 0012-1622 [Print] England
• PMID: 15230455 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Catchment Area, Health
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Cognition Disorders (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Cohort Studies
• Comorbidity
• Developmental Disabilities (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Factor Analysis, Statistical
• Female
• Finland (epidemiology)
• Humans
• Language Disorders (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Male
• Mass Screening (methods)
• Motor Skills Disorders (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Speech Disorders (diagnosis, epidemiology)