Family environmental risk factors for developmental speech delay in children in Northern China

Most reported risk factors for developmental speech delay (DSD) remain controversial, and studies on paternal influencing factors are rare. This study investigated family environmental risk factors for DSD in northern China. The medical records of 276 patients diagnosed with DSD at four centres between October 2018 and October 2019 were retrospectively analysed. A questionnaire was designed that contained items such as maternal age at the child's birth, child sex, child age, birth order, family type and parental personality. Patients whose medical records lacked complete information for this investigation were contacted by e-mail or phone. Additionally, 339 families whose children received routine physical examinations at the four involved centres completed the survey. Data were collected, and potential risk factors were analysed using the t test or chi-square test; the obtained outcomes were subjected to multivariable logistic regression for further analysis. The multivariable regression showed that older maternal age at the child's birth (OR=1.312 (1.192-1.444), P<0.001), introverted paternal personality (OR=0.023 (0.011-0.048), P<0.001), low average parental education level (OR=2.771 (1.226-6.263), P=0.014), low monthly family income (OR=4.447 (1.934-10.222), P<0.001), and rare parent-child communication (OR=6.445 (3.441-12.072), P<0.001) were independent risk factors for DSD in children in North China. The study results may provide useful data for broadening and deepening the understanding of family risk factors for DSD.

Automated summary

The study identified independent risk factors for DSD in children in North China, including older maternal age, introverted paternal personality, low parental education level, low family income, and rare parent-child communication. This may provide valuable insights into family risk factors for DSD.