Evaluation of Children Referred to the Child Development Unit in the Hospital: A Tertiary Hospital Experience

Authors : Taha Metin, Aysenur Metin, Neşe Doğançelik, Arzu Ekici

Pages : 89-95

Doi:10.58961/hmj.1783724

View : 55 | Download : 130

Publication Date : 2025-12-25

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Introduction: Child development tests are valuable tools in identifying developmental problems, verifying suspicious situations with an objective test, and in the early diagnosis and monitoring of children at developmental risk. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate children referred from the child health and diseases clinic to the child development unit. Materials and Methods: Children aged 0-6 years who were referred to the child development unit between June 2023 and June 2024 were evaluated retrospectively. Children’s age, gender, reason for application, Denver II Developmental Screening Test (DDST) results, and referred outpatient clinics were recorded. Results: A total of 641 children (0.64%) were evaluated, with 61.6% (n=395) of whom were boys and 38.4% (n=246) of whom were girls, were evaluated. The most frequent referrals were made to the child health and diseases outpatient clinic (n=334, 52.1%). The most frequent reason for referral was developmental delay (n=291, 45.4%). DDST was abnormal in 349 patients (54.4%). 32.1% (n=206) of the children were followed up by the child development unit, and 34.2% (n=219) of the children were referred to relevant outpatient clinics. The most frequent referrals were to the child psychiatry outpatient clinic (n=177, 80.8%). The rate of abnormal DDST was higher in girls than in boys (p<0.001). Speech delay was more common in the 25-36 month and 37-48 month age groups, and developmental delay was more frequent in the 49-60 month group compared to other age groups (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). Only 0.64% of children aged 0-6 who applied to the pediatric polyclinic were referred to a child development specialist, and more than half of the children had abnormal DDST. Conclusion: Increasing the awareness of both pediatricians and families about the child development unit will enable early detection and treatment of developmental delays.
Keywords : Çocuk Gelişimi, Gelişim Geriliği, Erken Müdahale, Gelişimsel Değerlendirme, Denver II Gelişimsel Tarama Testi, Çocuk Sağlığı

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