title: Developmental disabilities among children between birth and 3 years old in the Haifa district: a population study.
abstract: The incidence of major neurodevelopmental deficits among children between birth and 3 years of age in the Haifa district was evaluated. Routine standardized developmental screening at the well-baby clinics was employed. The records of all children referred to the only two child developmental centers in the district during a period of 4 years were analyzed. The overall incidence was 31 per 1000 and was lower than expected. The age at diagnosis and associated disorders are discussed. In 30% of the cohort the diagnosis was inaccurate, and a 22% false positive referral rate was noted. A more thorough training in the early diagnosis of psychomotor developmental problems in childhood in the well-baby clinics is indicated.
authors.affiliation: Hannah Khoushy Child Development Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tirosh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shapira
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaffe
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tamir
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zelnik
mesh_terms: D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male