Li L, Zhang XP, Zheng YA. Long-term psychiatric and neurodevelopmental profiles of children with global developmental delay. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(4): 114859 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i4.114859]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Ying-Ai Zheng, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Ninghai Maternal and Child Health Hospital, No. 365 Xinghai Middle Road, Yuelong Street, Ningbo 315600, Zhejiang Province, China. zhengyingai081@126.com
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Psychiatry
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Retrospective Cohort Study
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Apr 19, 2026 (publication date) through Mar 30, 2026
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World Journal of Psychiatry
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2220-3206
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Li L, Zhang XP, Zheng YA. Long-term psychiatric and neurodevelopmental profiles of children with global developmental delay. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(4): 114859 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i4.114859]
World J Psychiatry. Apr 19, 2026; 16(4): 114859 Published online Apr 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i4.114859
Long-term psychiatric and neurodevelopmental profiles of children with global developmental delay
Lin Li, Xue-Ping Zhang, Ying-Ai Zheng
Lin Li, Department of Rehabilitation, Children’s Hospital of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan 030013, Shanxi Province, China
Xue-Ping Zhang, Ying-Ai Zheng, Department of Pediatrics, Ninghai Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Ningbo 315600, Zhejiang Province, China
Co-first authors: Lin Li and Xue-Ping Zhang.
Author contributions: Li L and Zhang XP contributed equally to this work and are the first co-authors. Lin Li was responsible for study conception, design, data collection, and drafting of the manuscript; Zhang XP participated in data acquisition, statistical analysis, and interpretation of results; Zheng YA supervised the study, provided critical revisions of the manuscript for important intellectual content, and served as the corresponding author. All the authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Institutional review board statement: This study has been approved and reviewed by the Medical Ethics Committee of Shanxi Children’s Hospital, No. 2024-009.
Informed consent statement: All study participants, or their legal guardian, provided informed written consent prior to study enrollment.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
STROBE statement: The authors have read the STROBE Statement-checklist of items, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the STROBE Statement-checklist of items.
Data sharing statement: There is no additional data available.
Corresponding author: Ying-Ai Zheng, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Ninghai Maternal and Child Health Hospital, No. 365 Xinghai Middle Road, Yuelong Street, Ningbo 315600, Zhejiang Province, China. zhengyingai081@126.com
Received: October 31, 2025 Revised: November 30, 2025 Accepted: January 8, 2026 Published online: April 19, 2026 Processing time: 149 Days and 20 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Global developmental delay (GDD) is a significant neurodevelopmental condition affecting approximately 1%-3% of children worldwide. Despite its prevalence, limited data are available on the long-term psychiatric and neurodevelopmental trajectories of affected children.
AIM
To characterize the 2-year longitudinal profiles of children diagnosed with GDD, with a focus on psychiatric comorbidities and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
METHODS
This retrospective cohort study included 100 children diagnosed with GDD at the Pediatric Neurodevelopment Center of the Children’s Hospital of Shanxi Province. Participants were enrolled between January 2021 and December 2021 and followed for 24 months, with follow-up completed by December 2023. Comprehensive assessments - including the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition, and the Griffiths Mental Development Scales, Third Edition - were conducted at baseline and at 24-month follow-up. Psychiatric comorbidities were evaluated using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria and standardized diagnostic tools.
RESULTS
Among the 100 children (mean age at baseline: 36.2 ± 12.4 months, 62% male), 73% exhibited persistent developmental delays at the 2-year follow-up. Psychiatric comorbidities were present in 68% of participants, with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (42%), autism spectrum disorder (31%), and anxiety disorders (24%) being the most prevalent. Children with multiple psychiatric comorbidities demonstrated significantly poorer developmental outcomes (mean developmental quotient: 62.3 ± 8.7) compared with those without comorbidities (78.4 ± 10.2, P < 0.001). Early intervention was associated with improved outcomes, particularly in language and social domains.
CONCLUSION
Children with GDD exhibit high rates of psychiatric comorbidities, which significantly affect their long-term neurodevelopmental trajectories. Early identification of comorbid conditions and the implementation of targeted intervention strategies are essential for optimizing outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Core Tip: Global developmental delay (GDD) affects up to 3% of children and is frequently complicated by psychiatric comorbidities, which may worsen long-term outcomes. In this 2-year retrospective cohort study of 100 children with GDD, 68% developed psychiatric disorders, most commonly attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and anxiety. Children with multiple psychiatric comorbidities demonstrated significantly poorer developmental quotients compared to those without comorbidities. Early intervention, particularly in language and social domains, improved developmental outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of early psychiatric screening and integrated intervention strategies to optimize trajectories in children with GDD.
