A Community-based Study on Growth and Development of Under-Five Children in an Urbanized Village of South Delhi

Background: Optimal development of children in their early months and years has a bearing on their achievement levels later in life.

Objectives: To assess the socio-emotional and cognitive development in children 0-5 years and to find out the proportion of children having developmental delay and its associated factors.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 520 children in Delhi. Development was assessed using the Indian Council for Medical Research Development Screening Test.

Results: In all, 10.6% of children <5 years old were found to be developmentally delayed. Maximum number of children (10.1%) were found to have a delay in the do main of 'hearing language, concept development'. Of all the factors, the strongest association was found with stunting, paternal education, alcohol abuse, attendance in anganwadi/playschool.

Conclusions: The study concludes that developmental delay is present in a sizable proportion of children <5 years of age and may be a significant factor in the overall achievement of life's potential in them.