Developmental Delay and Disability among Under-5 Children in a Rural ICDS Block

We conducted this study to assess the prevalence of developmental delay, deformity and disability among 0-5 age group childrenn in Pattanakkad rural ICDS block, selected at random from among the ICDS blocks in Alappuzha District, Kerala, India. Of 12520 children upto 5 years in this block, there were a total of 311 children with developmental delay, deviation, deformity or disability giving a prevalence of 2.5% (95% CI, 2.22-2.77). The prevalence of developmental disabilities up to 2 years was 2.31 (95% CI, 1.91-2.71) and from 2-5 years 2.62% (95% CI, 2.25-2.99). The prevalence obtained in the study has important policy implications for identifying childhood disabilities in the community.