Prevalence and Associated Factors of Developmental Delays Across Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Language and Social Domains in Malaysian Children Aged 6–59 Months

IF 2 4区医学 Q2 PEDIATRICS

Child Care Health and Development Pub Date : 2026-03-08 DOI:10.1111/cch.70248

Nur Hamizah Nasaruddin, S. Maria Awaluddin, Nazirah Alias, Khaw Wan-Fei, Tham Sin Wan, Noor Syaqilah Shawaluddin, Sharifah Nazeera Syed Anera, Sulhariza Husni Zain, Adibah Hanis Zainudin, Wan Shakira Rodzlan Hasani

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Developmental delays in gross motor, fine motor, language or social skills can affect children's growth and well-being. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overall and domain-specific delays and identify associated risk factors among Malaysian children aged 6–59 months using recent national data.

Methods

This population-based, cross-sectional study used data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022, focusing on children aged 6–59 months. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with caregivers, and physical assessments were conducted by trained nurses. Overall developmental delay was defined as failing an age-specific assessment in at least one of four domains: gross motor, fine motor, language, or social skills. Multivariable logistic regression, accounting for the complex survey design, was performed using SPSS version 23 to identify sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with developmental delays across all domains.

Results

Prevalence of overall developmental delay was 7.4%. Children aged 24–35 months (AOR: 2.40), boys (AOR: 1.44) and those with low birth weight (AOR = 1.76) were significantly at risk of overall developmental delay. By domain, social delay (4.1%) was the most prevalent delay, followed by language delay (2.7%), fine motor delay (1.9%) and gross motor delay (1.0%). Children aged 36–59 months were at higher risk of fine motor and language delays. Low birth weight was a strong predictor across all domains, with the greatest effect on gross motor delay (AOR: 3.75). Boys had higher odds of fine motor (AOR: 1.49), language (AOR: 1.77) and social delays (AOR: 1.55), while being overweight was specifically associated with gross motor delay (AOR: 2.79).

Conclusion

Developmental delays are prevalent among Malaysian children, with low birth weight as a consistent risk factor across domains. Domain-specific assessment reveals distinct patterns and unique risk profiles that are masked by overall prevalence, underscoring the need for targeted early interventions.

查看原文本刊更多论文

马来西亚6-59个月儿童大肌肉运动、精细运动、语言和社交领域发育迟缓的患病率及相关因素。

背景：大运动、精细运动、语言或社交技能的发育迟缓会影响儿童的成长和福祉。本研究旨在利用最近的国家数据确定马来西亚6-59个月儿童中整体和特定领域延迟的患病率，并确定相关的风险因素。方法：这项基于人群的横断面研究使用了2022年国家健康和发病率调查的数据，重点是6-59个月的儿童。通过与护理人员面对面访谈收集数据，并由训练有素的护士进行身体评估。总体发育迟缓被定义为在以下四个领域中至少有一个领域没有通过与年龄相关的评估：大肌肉运动、精细运动、语言或社交技能。考虑到复杂的调查设计，使用SPSS version 23进行多变量逻辑回归，以确定与所有领域的发育迟缓相关的社会人口统计学和健康相关因素。结果：总体发育迟缓发生率为7.4%。24-35月龄儿童（AOR: 2.40）、男孩（AOR: 1.44）和低出生体重儿（AOR = 1.76）存在全面发育迟缓的风险。从领域来看，社交延迟（4.1%）是最常见的延迟，其次是语言延迟（2.7%）、精细动作延迟（1.9%）和大动作延迟（1.0%）。年龄在36-59个月的儿童在精细运动和语言发育迟缓方面的风险更高。低出生体重在所有领域都是一个强有力的预测因素，对大运动延迟的影响最大（AOR: 3.75）。男孩在精细运动（AOR: 1.49）、语言（AOR: 1.77）和社交迟缓（AOR: 1.55）方面的几率更高，而超重与大运动迟缓（AOR: 2.79）特别相关。结论：发育迟缓在马来西亚儿童中普遍存在，低出生体重是跨领域的一致风险因素。特定领域的评估揭示了被总体患病率所掩盖的独特模式和独特风险概况，强调了有针对性的早期干预的必要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Child Care Health and Development 医学-小儿科

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

5.30%

发文量

136

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Child: care, health and development is an international, peer-reviewed journal which publishes papers dealing with all aspects of the health and development of children and young people. We aim to attract quantitative and qualitative research papers relevant to people from all disciplines working in child health. We welcome studies which examine the effects of social and environmental factors on health and development as well as those dealing with clinical issues, the organization of services and health policy. We particularly encourage the submission of studies related to those who are disadvantaged by physical, developmental, emotional and social problems. The journal also aims to collate important research findings and to provide a forum for discussion of global child health issues.