J Prim Care Community Health. 2026 Jan-Dec;17:21501319261421463. doi: 10.1177/21501319261421463. Epub 2026 Mar 31.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The first 2 years of life are a critical period for a child’s development. Early developmental surveillance in motor, language, social-emotional, and emerging cognitive domains plays an essential role in timely intervention and long-term outcomes. Children living in disadvantaged conditions or with acute illness are at higher risk for developmental delays, yet early detection in Vietnam remains limited. A national plan for comprehensive early childhood development has recently emphasized the role of primary healthcare and early interaction guidance.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of developmental delays among hospitalized children aged 2 to 24 months at a tertiary pediatric hospital in Southern Vietnam using the standardized developmental surveillance checklist issued by the Ministry of Health in 2023.
METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in which clinically stable inpatients were evaluated prior to discharge. Developmental surveillance was performed using the Ministry of Health 2023 developmental surveillance checklist, which covers 4 domains (gross motor, fine motor, language-communication, and social-emotional development) at ages 2-4-6 months, 9 to 12 months, and 15 to 24 months. Children who did not achieve one or more age-appropriate milestones were classified as having suspected developmental abnormalities.
RESULTS: A total of 939 children aged 2 to 24 months were evaluated. The prevalence and pattern of suspected developmental abnormalities varied by age group. Gross motor and language-communication delays were the most frequent findings. Age-specific inspection revealed that developmental vulnerability was most pronounced at 6 months of age, particularly in gross motor, language-communication, and social-emotional domains, coinciding with a critical period of nutritional and biological transition; at 12 months, 76% could say at least 3 words, and by 18 months, 80.1% could say ≥20 single words. Some 24‑month‑old children had not yet achieved expected motor skills. Anemia and stunting were common, particularly in the 9- to 12‑month group.
CONCLUSION: Integrating standardized developmental surveillance into inpatient pediatric care is both feasible and essential. Hospital-based developmental surveillance provides an important opportunity for early detection and referral, and highlights the need to expand screening and follow-up to primary care and community settings in Vietnam.
PMID:41914223 | DOI:10.1177/21501319261421463
