Risk Factors of Delayed Language Development among Preschool Children Attending Assiut University Hospitals

Abstract
Background: To study the risk factors associated with Delayed Language Development (DLD) among children attending Outpatient Phoniatric Clinic of Assiut University hospitals.
Subjects and Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 150 cases with DLD aged 3-5 years attended Outpatient Phoniatric Clinic and 150 control children of the same age range with no DLD attended outpatient clinic of AssiuT University Children's Hospital. A structured interview ques-tionnaire was used for collection of relevant data from chil-dren's caregivers.
Results: This study showed that urban residence, low birth weight, male gender, delivery by Cesarean section, parent consanguinity and presence cyanosis after birth were signif-icantly associated with DLD.
Conclusion: It was concluded that male gender, history of perinatal events, and parent consanguinity are significant risk factors for DLD. Awareness about risk factors of DLD need to be raised among parents and health care providers for prevention, early detection and proper management.