Risk factors of gross and fine motor development delays in children living in institution care

Abstract

Background: Growth delays, including gross and fine motor development, were commonly observed in children living in child residential facilities. However, there is limited data on the risk factors for delayed motor function in these children. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with delayed motor function in children in child residential facilities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess children aged 1–60 months who had been living in child residential facilities for at least one month. We used the Developmental Surveillance and Promotion Manual (DSPM), in cooperation with evaluations from Developmental and Behavioral Pediatricians, to assess gross and fine motor development. Factors associated with months of delay in gross and fine motor development were calculated using generalized linear model. Results: The prevalence of delayed motor development was 27.83 % for the gross motor domain and 50.87 % for the fine motor domain. Male sex was independently associated with months of gross motor delays (β = −0.741; 95 % confidence interval, −1.409 to −0.073). Significant factors associated with fine motor delay included older age at entry (β = 0.125; 95 % confidence interval, 0.056 to 0.194), smaller head circumference (β = −0.415; 95 % confidence interval, −0.758 to −0.072), and fewer children per house (β = −0.141; 95 % confidence interval, −0.219 to −0.062). Conclusions: Delays in fine and gross motor skills were found in 50.87 % and 27.83 % of children under five years of age in child residential facilities, respectively. Sex was a predictor of delay in gross motor skills, while age at entry, number of children per house, and head circumference were associated with delays in fine motor skills.