Early Language Delay and Predictive Factors in Children Aged 2 Years†
Benjamas Prathanee PhD*, Suzanne C Purdy PhD**, Bandit Thinkhamrop PhD***, Bhunyabhadh Chaimay PhD****, Nitchara Ruangdaraganon MD*****, Ladda Mo-suwan MD******, Rutja Phuphaibul PhD*******
Affiliation : † This article was presented at the Seminar on Breastfeeding Research, Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Bangkok, 26 January 2007 * Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Discipline of Speech Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand *** Department of Biostatistics and Demography, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand **** Yala Provincial Health Office, Muang District, Yala, Thailand ***** Department of Pediatrics, Ramathibodi Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ****** Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkla, Thailand ******* Department of Nursing, Ramathibodi Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To investigate the predictive factors for early language delay (ELD) at age 2 years based on the
Prospective Cohort Study of Thai children (PCTC).
Study design: A prospective cohort study: secondary data retrieving.
Results : Three thousand nine hundred five children were recruited from four communities and one hospital
in five areas of Thailand.
Material and Method: The Language Development Survey (LDS) was performed to identify children with
early language delay (ELD) at age 2 years. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association
between possible factors (both biological and environment factors) and ELD.
Main outcome measure: Number of children with ELD at age of 2 years.
Results : The incidence of ELD at age 2 years was 11.68%. Risk factors for ELD were birth weight (Odds Ratio:
OR =2.38, 95% Confidence interval: CI 1.65-3.42), male gender (OR = 2.12, 95% Confidence interval: CI
1.67-2.69), 3rd-4th and 5th child born or more (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.02-1.96; OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.08-3.27,
respectively), birth weight < 2,500 grams (OR = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.65-3.42), no first word within 1 year (OR =
2.25, 95% CI = 1.79-2.84), no walking within 1 year (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.05-1.72), and maternal
occupation (laborer or none) (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.01-1.82). District living was a protective factor for ELD
(OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.32- 0.54). There was no clear evidence for a link between breastfeeding and ELD.
Conclusion : Significant factors identified here raise strong concerns that should be addressed clinically
when counseling families and planning treatment. Further study using a longer longitudinal design and more
detailed information is recommended to better determine predictive factors for ELD or specific language
impairment (SLI).
Keywords : Language development disorders, Language tests, Predictive value of tests
