Delays in developmental milestones in children: Symptoms, Etiology and the importance of prompt treatment

Parents watch a child’s every move. They keep a close eye on how their child eats, plays, sleeps, and interacts with their environment. Milestones like smiling, rolling over, pulling up to stand, waving, a child’s first step, or uttering the first word are moments of celebration. However, some children cannot achieve these milestones as normally as others because of developmental delays. Different types of developmental delays are as follows:

• Cognitive delays: Cognitive delay is associated with a child who exhibits trouble in solving a problem, thinking, learning, and understanding information or direction.
• Motor delays: Children with motor delays often find it hard to hold on to an object if they have a small motor delay; children with gross motor delay may even find it difficult to roll over or walk.
• Speech and language delays: Children with speech and language delays find it difficult to understand language and exhibit difficulty while uttering words.
• Social and emotional delays: Children with Social and emotional delays often find it hard to get along with others and struggle to express their feelings.

In India, developmental delays are increasingly becoming very common, occurring in 10%–15% of preschool children. In addition to the delays listed above, children in India have been documented to have Vision and Hearing Delays and Behavioural and Adaptive Delays. Though researchers still don’t know the exact cause of many developmental delays, some attribute a child’s exposure to alcohol, opioids, or marijuana, premature birth, poor nutrition, and severe trauma to developmental delays.

Early intervention can lead to treatments that can ensure a normal life for a child. However, early intervention is not possible without timely identification of developmental delays in children. This is exactly why parents need to observe their child’s ability to achieve milestones as early on as the baby begins to roll over or even sit up and crawl. These early milestones can provide cues in their motor skills development. Regular interactions with children can further give parents insights into how the child reacts to language. Games that promote problem-solving or play dates that reinforce social skills can also help identify a child’s natural developmental progress.

As a parent, if doubts regarding your child’s development linger in your mind, then it is best to ask a Paediatric Neurologist to intervene. A Paediatric Neurologist is a medical doctor who specialises in diagnosing, treating, and managing brain and nervous system-related disorders in children. At Neuro Spine Health, our Pediatric Neurologist, Dr. Smita Patil Zope is dedicated to helping childred with developmental delays from infancy to adolescence by adopting testing, medication, therapy, or surgical intervention. Specialised in working with little patients with seizures, epilepsy, fits, autism, behavioral disorders, and cerebral palsy, Dr. Zope, also collaborates closely with therapists and educators to provide holistic care.