Risk factors of speech delay in otherwise normal under-five children: A case-control study

Background: Significant deficits in speech development can occur in children without frank sensor motor or neurological disabilities. These children are at risk of less successful developmental and educational outcomes along with social exclusion. So identification of the probable risk factors for speech delay in children is important. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the sociodemographic, family/birth-related and environmental risk factors for delayed speech in under-five children. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted in the Child Development Centre of Institute of Child and Mother Health, Dhaka during January to December 2017,on a sample of 120 under-five children (40 cases and 80 controls) by interviewing theparents, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: In multivariate regression analysis, it was found that being single child, having family history of speech/language delay, history of neonatal complication, deleterious feeding habits, exposure to extended screen-on time and presence of stress in family/environment had significant association with speech delay in otherwise normal children under five years of age. No statistically significant socio-demographic risk factor was identified in this study. Conclusions: Influence of accumulated risk factors, rather than individual ones, may play a greater role in delayed speech development in under-five children.