Patient's question:
2.5-year-old male baby, born with neonatal pneumonia and sepsis, later recovered after a 2-week hospital stay. Before the age of 1, his physical health was poor, and he often fell ill. After the age of 1, his physical health declined. Now at 2.5 years old, his height and weight are slightly lower than those of average children. His intellectual development and growth are normal under close observation, and he can practice and use them flexibly, such as riding electric bikes and bicycles. He is sociable but dislikes playing with children. He only knows how to say "grandpa," "grandma," "dad," and "mom," but needs reminders to speak. He expresses himself through gestures, actions, and many words that adults cannot understand. (His parents had normal responses as children, and the baby has normal hearing.)Medical history and outcomes: At 1.5 years old, he had a brain CT scan, which was normal.
What kind of help is needed: Hello expert, is this condition serious? Is it necessary to undergo comprehensive examinations at a large hospital? Is it a developmental disorder of intelligence or a developmental disorder of the larynx? Thank you!
Doctor's answer:
Children are naturally very strong in right-brain thinking, while language is associated with the left brain. Therefore, individuals who develop their right brain more strongly may respond a bit later, but this difference is not significant. Generally, boys' language centers mature later compared to girls, so it is more common for girls to respond earlier. However, this difference is also not substantial—it's just a slight delay. Early responders may start calling out simple words like "mama" or "dada" by the age of seven or eight months. Late responders may still not speak at all by the age of two.Advice: Around the age of one and a half, children typically start using simple words. It's important to encourage language learning at home. Don't assume that your child doesn't understand anything or that speaking to them is pointless. In reality, whatever you say, they will learn it. Engage them in learning activities and try to encourage them to demonstrate their language skills in different settings. Some children may understand but simply refuse to speak—it has nothing to do with their intelligence. If you remain concerned, you can have them undergo a medical intelligence test.