The Prevalence of Developmental Delay among Filipino Children at Ages 6, 12 and 24 Months Based on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales

Authors

Ma. Rochelle Buenavista-Pacifico, Department of Pediatrics, De La Salle University Medical Center
Alexis L. Reyes, Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
Bernadette C. Benitez, Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
Esterlita Villanueva-Uy, Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
Hilton Y. Lam, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila
Enrique M. Ostrea, Jr., Department of Pediatrics, Hutzel Women’s Hospital, the Carman and Ann Adams

Publication Date

12-31-2018

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Acta Medica Philippina

Abstract

Background. To determine prevalence of delay in 5 developmental domains among Filipino children at 6, 12 and 24 months and investigate influence of socioeconomic status, maternal intelligence, gender and home stimulation. Variations and developmental domains as reliable indicators of potential delay were determined.

Methods. 754 maternal/ infant dyads were followed up until 2 years old. The Griffiths Mental Development Scales determined sub-quotient scores in locomotor, personal/social, hearing/language, eye-hand coordination and performance subscales before averaging for General Quotient(GQ) score. Score < 85 was considered delayed.

Results. Low GQ scores were noted in 5.4% at 6 months, 19.1% at 12 months and 11.0% at 24 months old. GQ scores were lowered by performance subscale at 6 months, hearing/language and performance at 12 months and hearing/language at 24 months. No single subscale consistently lowered GQ across time. Only 4.2% maintained low GQ scores in all three ages.

Conclusion. Prevalence of developmental delay varied across 24 months with highest rates noted at 12 months of age. No developmental domain consistently lowered test scores and no test age was predictive of future outcome but focused early intervention according to age is suggested. Home environment, higher socioeconomic status, maternal IQ and supervision were associated with improved potential.

First Page

501

Last Page

509

APA Citation

Buenavista-Pacifico, M., Reyes, A. L., Benitez, B. C., Villanueva-Uy, E., Lam, H. Y., & Ostrea, Jr., E. M. (2018). The Prevalence of Developmental Delay among Filipino Children at Ages 6, 12 and 24 Months Based on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales. Acta Medica Philippina, 52(06), 501-509. https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.v52i6.277