Magai, DN 
ORCID: 0000-0002-1889-7552, Berman, BD ORCID: 0009-0008-4190-1709, Mutua, AM, Smythe, T, Olusanya, BO ORCID: 0000-0002-3826-0583, Gulati, S ORCID: 0000-0003-1439-9959, Mwesige, AK ORCID: 0000-0002-1189-3671, Blaikie, A, Lusobya, RC, Coghill, D et al (show 1 more authors)
(2025)
Scoping review of evidence-based practice guidelines for the evaluation and care of young children with developmental disabilities in LMIC settings: Evidence for action
BMJ Paediatrics Open, 9 (1).
e003571-.
ISSN 2399-9772, 2399-9772
|
Text
Scoping review of evidence-based practice guidelines for the evaluation and care of young children with developmental disabi.pdf - Open Access published version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial. Download (3MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Introduction Childhood disability is increasingly prevalent, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries, as more children survive worldwide. Global practice guidelines are essential to address the need for timely identification, evaluation and management of children with developmental disabilities, particularly in resource-limited settings. This scoping review aims to summarise recent evidence-based practice guidelines for the assessment and care of children aged 0-5 years at risk or with developmental disabilities and identify those practice guidelines that are suitable for use across both global and resource-limited settings. Methods We searched PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL as well as websites for professional associations using Google to identify evidence-based practice guidelines for specific developmental disabilities with established global prevalence estimates. We identified additional literature through snowballing. Practice guidelines were included if they were published between September 2012 and June 2024, were in English, and demonstrated a systematic process of reviewing available evidence, which then provided information on the detection, diagnosis, treatment and management of children under five with developmental disabilities. Three reviewers independently screened results by title, abstract and full text. Study characteristics and outcome data were extracted, and results were narratively synthesised. Results 43 practice guidelines met the eligibility search criteria. Few evidence-based practice guidelines were generated from resource-limited settings (n=3, 7.0%). Of these, two were published in Malaysia and one from Cameroon. Most of the practice guidelines focused on both assessment and management (n=20, 46.5%), with some addressing only assessment (n=9, 20.9%) or management of the conditions (n=14, 32.6%). Conclusions Practice guidelines focusing on the identification and support of children with developmental disabilities, chiefly published within high-income settings, are available to be selectively adapted and utilised across similar localities globally. All young children with developmental disabilities worldwide have the right to access equitable, timely and quality health and developmental care services.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Child Health, Developing Countries, Low and Middle Income Countries |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Life Courses & Medical Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Sep 2025 10:19 |
| Last Modified: | 28 Feb 2026 15:00 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/bmjpo-2025-003571 |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3194244 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
Altmetric
Altmetric