Korean J Pediatr.  2004 Feb;47(2):131-139.

Developmental Disabilities in Children

• Chung HJ

Abstract

Despite the 5-10% prevalence of developmental disability, the early identification for such problems remains difficult. Pediatricians tried to diagnose developmental delay early to promote early intervention and thus to reduce long-term disability in these patients. Identification of a delayed young child by routine pediatric screening mandates a careful search for an underlying etiology. Accurate etiologic determination, despite the fact that many disorders have no specific therapeutic interventions, has specific implications regarding treatment, prognosis, ongoing medical management of associated conditions, assessment of recurrence risk, counseling of families if there is a risk of recurrence, and implication of prevention programs. In this article, we shall review the available approaches for identification of developmental delay in infants and young children. In addition, we shall review the algorithm for the etiologic evaluation of the child with developmental disability.

Keyword

Developmental disability; Approach and identification; Evaluation algorithm

MeSH Terms

Child*
Counseling
Developmental Disabilities*
Early Intervention (Education)
Humans
Infant
Mass Screening
Prevalence
Prognosis
Recurrence