Aetiological investigations in early developmental impairment: Are they worth it?

Hart, Anthony Richard; Sharma, Ruchi; Atherton, Mark; Alabed, Samer; Simpson, Sally; Barfield, Stuart; Cohen, Judith; McGlashan, Nicholas; Ravi, Asha; Parker, Michael James; Connolly, Daniel JA

Abstract

Objective To study the frequency a diagnosis is made in children with early developmental impairment (EDI), and the contribution made to diagnosis by specific investigations.

Design Retrospective case note review.

Setting Community, neurodisability and neurology department at a UK tertiary centre.

Participants Children referred to determine the aetiology of EDI where a cause was not evident on history and examination. Participants were divided into two groups: EDI and no additional features (EDI−) and EDI with additional features (EDI+).

Main outcome measures The frequency a cause was found for the child’s EDI and which tests contributed to a diagnosis.

Results 699 participants, 68.8% boys, median age at investigation 2 years 8 months (range 3 months to 11 years 5 months). 61 (8.7%) of participants had no investigations, and children with EDI− were less likely to be investigated (χ2=12.5, p

Citation

Hart, A. R., Sharma, R., Atherton, M., Alabed, S., Simpson, S., Barfield, S., …Connolly, D. J. (2017). Aetiological investigations in early developmental impairment: Are they worth it?. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 102(11), 1004-1013. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2017-312843

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 25, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Jul 22, 2017
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Nov 14, 2018
• Journal: Archives of Disease in Childhood
• Print ISSN: 0003-9888
• Electronic ISSN: 1468-2044
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 102
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 1004-1013
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2017-312843
• Keywords: Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/784539
• Publisher URL: https://adc.bmj.com/content/102/11/1004
• Related Public URLs: http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/121154/