The Effect of Birth History on Speech Delay in Toddlers

Ulfatul Latifah Iman; Seventina Nurul Hidayah; Juhrotun Nisa

doi:10.33096/woh.vi.3053

Ulfatul Latifah Iman Departement of Midwifery, Harkat Negeri University, Indonesia
Seventina Nurul Hidayah Departement of Midwifery, Harkat Negeri University, Indonesia
Juhrotun Nisa Departement of Midwifery Harkat Negeri University, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33096/woh.vi.3053

Keywords: Birth History, Speech Delay, Toddlers

Abstract

Speech delay is one of the most common developmental disorders among toddlers, Globally, speech and language delays affect approximately 5% to 12% of preschool-aged children, making communication disorders among the most prevalent neurodevelopmental concerns worldwide explicitly framed speech delay as a public health concern affecting long-term educational attainment and neurodevelopmentaffecting approximately 5–10% of preschool children in Indonesia, and it has the potential to negatively impact children’s intellectual functioning and social interaction. The high prevalence indicated by more than ten toddlers receiving speech therapy daily in services in Tegal and Brebes highlights the need to identify underrecognized risk factors, such as birth history. While prior work focuses on environmental and parenting factors, birth history variables (perinatal factors) remain understudied locally. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between birth history factors (gestational age, mode of delivery, birth weight, and maternal age at childbirth) and the occurrence of speech delay in toddlers. This quantitative analytic study employed a case control design (1:1 ratio) involving a total of 110 participants (55 cases and 55 controls), The inclusion criteria for mothers who had children aged 2–6 years with speech delay, whereas the control group were mothers who had children aged 2–6 years without speech delay, selected through purposive sampling at RSIA Permata Insani Brebes (cases) and KB Tabiyatul Khasanah (controls). Data were collected from June to August 2025. Birth history data were collected through interviews and questionnaires, adapted from a previously validated and reliable instrument, and data were analyzed using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression with the enter method. The results showed a significant association between gestational age (<37weeks or >40weeks) and speech delay (p=0.002;OR=3.586), cesarean section delivery (p=0.028;OR=2.260), and abnormal birth weight (<2500g or >4000g) (p=0.045;OR=2.286). However, no significant association was found between maternal age at childbirth (<20years or >35years) and the occurrence of speech delay (p=0.339). In conclusion, Birth history factors may assist clinicians in identifying toddlers at higher risk for speech delay and prioritizing developmental surveillance.

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