RL Hsieh, YM Hsueh, HY Huang, MI Lin, WC Lee

Abstract

We evaluated the correlation of health in preschool Taiwanese children with developmental delays. A total of 70 primary caregivers of 48 male and 22 female preschool Taiwanese children who had been diagnosed with developmental delays were recruited. We administered the Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Form 28 to the parents to evaluate parent-reported children's health. The relationship between the health status of children with developmental delays and demographic variables, such as age, gender, family structure, parental employment status, child care arrangements, and financial support were examined. Older children, delayed development of gross and fine motor functions, maternal unemployment, and financial support were associated with lower health status. Boys had better health in the areas of parental emotional impact and worse health in the area of family cohesion and impact than girls. The health status of preschool Taiwanese children with developmental delays is related to the children's age, gender, and motor development, maternal employment status, and financial support.