DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING OF ALL PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN HONG KONG:
REVIEW OF 23 YEARS�� EXPERIENCE
Chan CW
Department of
Paediatrics, The University of Hong Kong
Developmental Screening of children below 5 years of age
was first introduced in Hong Kong in April, 1978 as part of the White Paper
on Comprehensive Observation Scheme adopting the ��Hong Kong Developmental Screening System�� designed by the
Department of Paediatrics, The University of Hong Kong with data derived
from a cohort study on Growth and Development of 782 normal Chinese
children follow-up from birth to 8 years. Screening Tests are provided free
of charge at all Maternal and Child Centres in Hong Kong to all preschool
children and to children at-risk, and at private paediatricians�� clinics.
Before 1987, tests were given at five key-ages from birth to 5 years old
but tests were re-scheduled to 3 stages: at 10 weeks, 9 months and 36
months since 1987 for better compliance and for more effective utilization
of local resources. At each key-age, each child is tested in major fields
of development: namely, gross motor, coordination, social skills and
language as well as hearing, vision, anthropometric studies and physical
examination. The average coverage rate for local children is 84% per annum while
detection rate is about 10%. Children with abnormalities identified were
referred to paediatricians, relevant specialists or to child assessment
centres for confirmation of abnormalities. All children with abnormalities
were provided with appropriate management and placement as arranged by the
multidisciplinary team at Comprehensive Child Assessment Centres.