Global developmental delay is a broader term used to describe a condition wherein child usually takes longer time than usual to reach his developmental milestones.
Usually these involves delay in:
- Cognitive functioning.
- Speech and language.
- Social and emotional skills
- Daily activities.
- Motor skills
A developmental delay in the above two or three areas is referred to as Global Developmental Delay.
Parents must be very alert in the initial first 3 years of their child.
GDD is less common and has a prevalence of affecting 1-3% of the population.
It is more oftenly seen in children less than 5 yrs of age.
SIGNS TO LOOK FOR IN CHILDREN
Parents normally come to know of it after their child is born. This could be due to a problem that developed before birth, a problem during birth (for example, if the baby did not get enough oxygen, or was born too early), a childhood illness or a physical accident during early childhood.
Look for the following signs in your child:
By 3 to 4 months:
- irresponsive to loud noises.
- has no babbling.
- cannot imitate sounds (by 4 months)
By 7 months:
- child does not roll over (in front or back), cannot achieve head control.
- does not respond to sounds.
By 9 months:
- cannot crawl.
- unable to sit without support.
- doesn’t respond to familiar names.
By 1 year:
- if he/she is not speaking a single word (like “mama”)
- unable to stand without support.
- child has not yet started walking .
By 2 years:
- cannot speak at least 15 words.
- unable to use two word phrases without speech.
- does not use speech to communicate more than immediate needs.
- cannot walk.
CAUSES:
These includes Genetic as well as Acquired factors
GENETIC:
- Down’s syndrrome.
- Fragile X syndrome.
- Metabolic syndrome.
- Rett syndrome.
ACQUIRED:
- Asphyxia.
- Prematurity.
- Infections.
- Birth Trauma.
- Abuse of drugs.
- Intracranial Hamorrhage.
- Psychosocial environment.
- Improper nutrition.
