AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightFurther prospective studies on screen exposure and language delay are needed.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Objective: Many factors can affect language development. Screen exposure is increasing rapidly nowadays and the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of screen exposure on children with a delay in speech and language development. Material and Method: Children with an isolated language delay between the ages of 18 and 36 months and who were admitted to the İstanbul University İstanbul Medical Faculty Social Pediatrics, Outpatient Clinic, between January 2018 and March 2018 were evaluated as the case group. Children with a global developmental delay or with a chronic disease were excluded. Children with normal development admitted during the same period at the same age constituted the control group. Screen exposure times in terms of foreground and background activity, and total exposure times were evaluated. Results: In the case group (n=22) the screen exposure rate was 81.8%, background screen exposure was 40.9% and the median daily duration of exposure was 120 minutes. These figures were 66.6%, 23.8%, and 60 minutes respectively in the control group. The risk associated with duration of screen exposure in the case group was 1.01 times higher than that of the control group and the difference was found statistically significant. Conclusion: Screen exposure appears to be an important factor in language development in children. Further prospective studies on screen exposure and language delay are needed.