Parental knowledge of children's developmental milestones in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

Background: Milestones refer to a child's typical development by a certain age. Children's development varies considerably in different countries; therefore, milestones are not fixed by specific ages and have a normal range of variation. This study aimed to determine parents' knowledge of children's developmental milestones in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2022 using a pre -designed validated questionnaire among parents who were > 18 years, living in Al-Ahsa and had at least one child aged from birth to 14 years; 372 parents responded via local virtual and social media. Result: Of the parents, 71% and 62.9% correctly reported the age at which children typically start to crawl and walk, respectively. Meanwhile, 9.7% of mothers had a good knowledge level regarding milestones compared to 3.2% of fathers (P = 0.048). Primary information sources were internet sites (81.4%), parents/relatives (81.4%) and pediatricians or general practitioners (68.3%). Conclusion: Parents had poor knowledge of children's developmental milestones. Healthcare providers should ensure that parents receive accurate information about child development by educating them during routine visits.