High Risk Infants Referred to Health-Care Centers in North and East of Tehran and Risk Factors of Motor Developmental Delay

As prevalence of developmental disorders is higher in high-risk infants and more frequent and special follow-up is required for this group of children during the early years of life, determining the risk factors in every society is of utmost importance. This was a descriptive-analytical (case-control) study conducted during 2005-2006 on 283 infants which had been referred to heath-care centers in the north and east of Tehran. The first 143 infants with risk factors, who also had a developmental quotient (DQ) score of less than 70 according to a pediatrician’s assessment, comprised the case group, and the first 140 infants, without risk factors, who had a DQ score of more than 70 comprised the control group. The odd’s ratio [OR] was used for correlating risk factors to the developmental status. The following factors were significantly related to child motor developmental disorders: perinatal asphyxia (neonatal convulsion, fetal distress, and Apgar score of 0-3 at 20 minutes), low birth weight, prematurity, and premature rupture of membrane. Regarding the effect of the risk factors mentioned above in developing motor developmental disorders, attempts should be made for the prevention of these factors in order to decrease the incidence of future disabilities. Developmentally delayed infants also should be diagnosed as soon as possible in order to apply early intervention and to achieve better results.