Unraveling the clinical complexity of developmental language disorder: A phenotype-based enrichment analysis

Developmental language disorder (DLD), an underrecognized childhood disorder, is associated with many comorbidities, but the driving factor behind this relationship is yet to be determined.
Data extracted from electronic health records (EHRs) of a case-control (n=5273 DLD cases; n=26,353 controls) study identified behavioral and sensory phenotypes (learning disorder, delayed milestones, disorders of the acoustic nerve, conduct disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, lack of coordination, and other motor deficits) associated with DLD. Other phenotypes, not previously linked to DLD, were identified (dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and weight and nutrition).
According to the authors, comorbidities (rare or common) can be identified at a population level in DLD cases from EHRs using a phenotype-based enrichment analysis.