Developmental delay can be defined as a child who has not acquired the developmental skills expected of him or her, compared with others of a similar age. Delays could occur in the areas of motor function, language and speech, cognitive, play, and social skills. Global developmental delay suggests a young child has significant delays in at least two of these developmental regions. Consult

What are the causes of developmental delay?

There isn't one reason for delays in development. Factors that might contribute can happen before a kid is born, during the birth process, and after birth. These could include:

• Hereditary or genetic conditions like Down syndrome
• Metabolic disorders like phenylketonuria (PKU)
• Serious infections
• Deprivation of food or environment
• Trauma to the brain, like shaken baby syndrome
• Severe psychosocial trauma, like post-traumatic stress disorder
• Exposure to specific harmful substances like prenatal alcohol exposure or lead poisoning