Developmental Risks in Vulnerable Children from a Low-Income South African Community

Objective: To describe the developmental risks, and its influence, in young children from a low-income South African community. Method: An exploratory, cross-sectional research study design was employed. Developmental screening was conducted during home visits with 126 caregivers and children between 0 and 42 months of age from a low-income South African community. Children who failed the rescreen were referred for diagnostic assessment. A binomial logistic regression was used to determine the effect of developmental risks on developmental outcomes. Results: Seventy-three percent of children screened were identified with a possible developmental delay (n = 59) according to caregiver-report using the PEDS tools. The regression model was statistically significant (χ² (3) = 34.902, p < 0.001) with exposure to multiple languages (p < 0.05; odds ratio 3.810, CI 1.2–12.4) most indicative of potential developmental delay. Older children (19–42 months) were also more at risk of developmental delay (p < 0.001) than younger children (0–18 months). Conclusions for Practice: Healthcare professionals serving these vulnerable populations should create awareness amongst caregivers about the effect of developmental risks, in particularly multiple language exposure, on development.