Bari AY, Umut BALATACI, Muzaffer Tunahan GEDİKÇİ
Cyprus Journal of Medical Sciences - 2026;11(5):417-423
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Screen exposure during early childhood may influence cognitive and language development. This descriptive and exploratory study aimed to characterize screen exposure patterns and selected socidemographic, perinatal, and clinical features of children aged 2-6 years diagnosed with speech and language disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2025 and March 2026 at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic of Karabük Training and Research Hospital. Children who, following comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, met the diagnostic criteria for speech and language disorder were included. Children with conditions that could better explain their language difficulties, including autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability, were excluded. RESULTS: The study included 43 children, of whom 62.8% were male. The mean age was 47.18+/-15.22 months. Mean gestational age and birth weight were 36.67+/-2.74 weeks and 3068+/-727 g, respectively. Cesarean delivery, incubator care, postnatal hypoxia, and prolonged jaundice were reported in 72.1%, 32.6%, 23.3%, and 9.3% of cases, respectively. Daily screen exposure was <1 hour for 37.2%, 1-2 hours for 34.9%, 2-4 hours for 23.3%, and >4 hours for 4.7%. First screen exposure occurred before 12 months in 32.6% of participants, and before 24 months in 74.4%. CONCLUSION: The findings provide a descriptive overview of screen exposure and selected characteristics in this sample, but do not establish an association with speech and language disorder.
