Practice parameter: Evaluation of the child with global developmental delay
Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and The Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society
M. Shevell, MD,
S. Ashwal, MD,
D. Donley, MD,
J. Flint, MD,
M. Gingold, MD,
D. Hirtz, MD,
A. Majnemer, PhD,
M. Noetzel, MD and
R.D. Sheth, MD
From the Departments of Neurology/Neurosurgery and Pediatrics (Dr. Shevell) and School of Physical & Occupational Therapy (Dr. Majnemer), McGill University; Division of Pediatric Neurology (Dr. Shevell), Montreal Children’s Hospital, Montreal, Canada; Department of Pediatrics (Dr. Ashwal), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA; private practice (Dr. Donley), Traverse City, MI; Division of Psychiatry (Dr. Flint), Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK; private practice (Dr. Gingold), Morgantown, WV; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (Dr. Hirtz), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Departments of Pediatrics & Neurology (Dr. Noetzel), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; and Departments of Pediatrics & Neurology (Dr. Sheth), University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Figure. Algorithm for the evaluation of the child with developmental delay. Audiologic and ophthalmologic screening is recommended in all children with global developmental delay. Metabolic studies usually consist of obtaining a urine organic acid screen, quantitative serum amino acids, serum lactate and ammonia levels, capillary or arterial blood gas, and thyroid function studies.
