ABSTRACT Background Developmental delays in gross motor, fine motor, language or social skills can affect children's growth and well‐being. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overall and domain‐specific delays and identify associated risk factors among Malaysian children aged 6–59 months using recent national data. Methods This population‐based, cross‐sectional study used data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022, focusing on children aged 6–59 months. Data were collected through face‐to‐face interviews with caregivers, and physical assessments were conducted by trained nurses. Overall developmental delay was defined as failing an age‐specific assessment in at least one of four domains: gross motor, fine motor, language, or social skills. Multivariable logistic regression, accounting for the complex survey design, was performed using SPSS version 23 to identify sociodemographic and health‐related factors associated with developmental delays across all domains. Results Prevalence of overall developmental delay was 7.4%. Children aged 24–35 months (AOR: 2.40), boys (AOR: 1.44) and those with low birth weight (AOR = 1.76) were significantly at risk of overall developmental delay. By domain, social delay (4.1%) was the most prevalent delay, followed by language delay (2.7%), fine motor delay (1.9%) and gross motor delay (1.0%). Children aged 36–59 months were at higher risk of fine motor and language delays. Low birth weight was a strong predictor across all domains, with the greatest effect on gross motor delay (AOR: 3.75). Boys had higher odds of fine motor (AOR: 1.49), language (AOR: 1.77) and social delays (AOR: 1.55), while being overweight was specifically associated with gross motor delay (AOR: 2.79). Conclusion Developmental delays are prevalent among Malaysian children, with low birth weight as a consistent risk factor across domains. Domain‐specific assessment reveals distinct patterns and unique risk profiles that are masked by overall prevalence, underscoring the need for targeted early interventions.
Nasaruddin et al. (Sun,) studied this question.