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.