Speech Delay among Children Aged up to 6 Years Using the Language Evaluation Scale-Trivandrum: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Delay in language milestones is the most common developmental delay, and awareness is essential for early identification and appropriate intervention. Speech and language disorders are one of the main reasons for referral to paediatric services, accounting for about 40% of cases. Aim: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of speech delay in the Paediatric Outpatient Department (OPD) using the Language Evaluation Scale Trivandrum (LEST) scale and to analyse the possible risk factors associated with speech delay. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the well-baby clinic and daily Paediatric Outpatient Department of East Point College of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, from January 2021 to January 2022. A total of 204 children aged 0-6 years attending the paediatric OPD were evaluated using LEST. The prevalence and association with risk factors in each age group were calculated and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. The Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis, and a p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The prevalence of speech delay in the present study was present in children (19.6%). Of the total 204 children, the majority of language delay cases (20; 50%) were in the 1-5 year age group. Language delay was 1.8 times more common in boys than in girls. Most children (20; 50%) belonged to nuclear families. A total of 34 children (85%) were from monolingual households where only one language was spoken at home. Twenty-two children two-item delay, 10 had three-item delay & 8 had three-item item delayed, indicating that early identification and intervention were possible. Conclusion: Awareness and early identification are essential for better outcomes in speech delay. Simple and easy-to-administer scales like LEST are necessary for use in busy outpatient departments.