Slow Infant Development

Definition

• Slow infant development is development, either physical or mental or both, that does not progress within normal ranges or time periods. It can be associated with lack of ability to use motor functions, such as not being able to roll over or grasp an object. It also can be associated with delayed speech or verbal recognition, as well as the ability to complete tasks like placing a circle in a circle-shaped hole.

Causes

• Slow infant development has several causes. Genetic conditions can cause physical abnormalities that have an impact on how well an infant is able to move or process information. One example of a genetic condition that impacts development is Down Syndrome, which can affect cognition and physical structures of the body. Slow development in infants also can be linked to environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins. Lastly, slow development can be linked to trauma. Brain injuries, for example, can affect brain function, while injuries such as a broken limb may hinder gross and fine motor skills.

Detection

• Early detection of slow infant development is helpful for diagnosis and treatment. A trained professional such as a pediatrician or developmental specialist will be able to conduct tests on a child who is suspected of having slowed development. For instance, during a routine checkup, a pediatrician can test the placement of the infant's hips and ability to lift the head to check whether the infant is developing physically. Some physical tests that a pediatrician would do can be taught to parents, who then can do them at home. A cognitive specialist can play games with an infant or use special computer equipment to look at activity in the infant's brain.

Treatment

• Treatment for slow infant development varies depending on the cause. In some cases, such as with some (not all) genetic conditions, slowed development in infants really has no remedy. In other genetic cases, surgery may help get development back on track. Other methods of treatment usually include physical therapy with a specialist or one-on-one work with a professional who works in early brain development.

Considerations

• With the right help and development program, many infants who have slowed development can catch up with or even surpass babies who were not diagnosed with slow development. Slow development in infancy thus is not necessarily an indication that an individual will continue to be behind physically or mentally as they get older.