Objectives: To study the risk factors associated with delayed language development (DLD) among children attending outpatient phoniatric clinic of Assiut university hospitals. Subjects and methods: a case – control study was conducted on 150 cases with DLD aged 3-5 years attended outpatient phoniatric clinic and 150 control children of the same age range with no DLD attended outpatient clinic of Assiut university children's hospital. A structured interview questionnaire was used for collection of relevant data from children's caregivers. Results of this study showed that urban residence, low birth weight, male gender, delivery by Cesarean section, parent consanguinity and presence cyanosis after birth were significantly associated with DLD. It was concluded that male gender, historyof perinatalevents,and parent consanguinity are significantriskfactorsfor DLD. Awareness about risk factors of DLD need to be raised among parents and health care providers for prevention, early detection and proper management.