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

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.