Introduction: Speech and language delay (SLD) is a common developmental problem that affects 3-20% of children
globally, with significant long-term consequences if left untreated. Despite extensive research on SLD risk factors, regional
studies in Palestine remain limited. This study sought to identify key characteristics impacting SLD in Palestinian children
aged 2 to 10 years. Methods: Between January and March 2025, a case-control study was conducted at ten specialized
institutes in Palestine. The study included 184 children with SLD and 136 controls who were matched for age and gender. Data
were collected using standardized questionnaires that assessed socio-demographic, biological, familial, and environmental
factors. SPSS v26 was used for statistical analysis, which included chi-square tests and logistic regression (p-value <
0.05 indicated significance). Results: Significant risk variables for SLD were rural residency (OR = 4.4, p = 0.008), lower
parental education (paternal p = 0.003; maternal p < 0.001), and low family income (OR = 2.5, p = 0.030). Maternal
employment showed a protective effect (OR = 0.273, p < 0.001). Biological characteristics such as ENT issues (OR = 3.9, p =
0.012) and a family history of SLD (OR = 8.6, p = 0.001) were significantly linked with SLD. There was no substantial correlation
between the multilingual surrounding environment and family size. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the diverse
characteristics of SLD in Palestinian children, with a focus on socioeconomic disparities, biological factors, and familial
history. These findings emphasize the necessity of targeted early therapies, particularly in rural and low-income populations,
to mitigate the long-term impact of SLD

Title

SAGE open medicine

Publisher

SAGE open medicine

Publisher Country

United Kingdom

Indexing

Scopus

Impact Factor

None

Publication Type

Online only

Volume

14

Year

2026

Pages

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