Trends in the prevalence of language disorders in 4-year-old children: Comparison of health assessment data in nursery schools in Val-de-Marne between the academic years 2018–2019 and 2021–2022

Background

In the Val-de-Marne department, health check-ups for children in the middle section of nursery school are carried out by the Maternal and Child Protection Service, and allow for the early detection of possible anomalies. Language is evaluated using the ERTL-4 test, which helps to identify a language disorder. Using data collected from health check-ups, the objective of our work was to compare the rates of children referred for language disorder assessment between the academic years 2018–2019 and 2021–2022 as well as the associated risk factors.

Method

Children who underwent a health check-up during 2018–2019 and 2021–2022 were included. After a descriptive analysis, a logistic regression model was constructed with referral or no referral for a language disorder as a function of the academic year and possible risk or protective factors.

Results

Among the 36,816 health check-ups analyzed, the proportion of children referred for language disorder check-ups increased significantly by 3.3 % (p < 0.001). The factors associated with this were male gender ([odds ratio] OR = 1.60, p < 2.2e-16) and schooling in a priority education network (REP), (OR = 1.54, p < 2.2e-16) or REP+ (OR = 2.76, p < 2.2e-16). An association with other disorders was identified (p < 2.2e-16).

Conclusion

This study shows that the proportion of children referred for language disorders has increased between the 2 academic years.