Habibullah, H., Albradie, R., & Bashir, S. (2019). Identifying pattern in global developmental delay children: A retrospective study at King Fahad specialist hospital, Dammam (Saudi Arabia). Pediatric reports, 11(4), 8251. https://doi.org/10.4081/pr.2019.8251

University of Texas at Austin

Global Developmental Delay is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is diagnosed when there are significant delays in in several areas of development related to intellectual functioning, specifically for children under the age of 5. This diagnosis is also applied to individuals who are unable to participate in systemic assessments, including those who are too young. This diagnosis should be reassessed in the individual later life. 

Global Developmental Delay

The causes of Global Developmental Delay are attributed to genetic factors such as genetic abnormalities during the development of the brain and spinal cord. Other linked factors include: 

Prenatal or perinatal causes:
- Exposure to teratogens or toxins (tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs)
- Prematurity
- Congenital infections
- Congenital hypothyroidism – normally picked up on newborn screening.
- Birth trauma
- Intracranial haemorrhage

Postnatal causes:
- Infection (meningitis, encephalitis)
- Cranial trauma

Environmental causes:
- Poor nutrition
- Family stress
- Child abuse or neglect



Causes of Global Developmental Delay

The symptoms of Global Development vary , however the typical symptoms include:

- Child is late in sitting up, crawling, walking
- Limited reasoning or conceptual abilities
- Fine/gross motor difficulties
- Poor social skills/judgment
- Aggressive behavior as a coping skill
- Communication problems

Symptoms of Global Developmental Delay

Identifying pattern in global developmental delay children: A retrospective study at King Fahad specialist hospital, Dammam (Saudi Arabia)

There are multiple tests used to diagnose this disorder. These include:
- Genetic tests that are conducted through urine or blood samples to detect hereditary contributions
- Chromosome testing - this is another method to catch genetic defects contributing to this disorder
- Lead tests can also be conducted to find out if lead is present in the patient's environment
- Hormonal screening to check the thyroid hormone (low levels of this hormone can lead irregular growth)
- neuroimaging tests (CT and MRI scans) to check for any injuries to the central nervous system and the brain

Diagnosis of Global Developmental Delay

The treatment of this disorder depends on what type of delay is occurring. For instance, if the child is experiencing speech delays, then the help of a speech pathologist would be used. Occupational and physical therapists would be used to help with fine motor and daily living skills. For those with hearing and vision delays, a hearing aid or eye glasses could be used.

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