Children born during the coronavirus pandemic have significantly reduced verbal, motor and overall cognitive performance compared to children born before the pandemic, and this discrepancy is particularly pronounced in males, as well as in children in lower socioeconomic families, according to preliminary data presented in a preprint study. Researchers believe that this highlights that even in the absence of infection and illness, the pandemic has had a significant, negative impact on infant and child development.
Researchers stated that "it is clear [...] that young infants and children are developing differently than pre-pandemic, and that addressing this now while their brain is at its most plastic and responsive, is imperative," also saying that it is unclear from the data if observed declines are temporary.
Researchers concluded that results suggest that early development is impaired by the pandemic's effect on environmental factors.
Children are heavily influenced by their environment and a child's brain undergoes a large amount of structural and functional growth driven both by genetic and environmental factors, said the researchers. The COVID pandemic greatly altered the environment of both young children and pregnant individuals which could greatly influence children's development, according to the study.
Researchers cited closures and lockdowns as factors that limited child learning and typical activities, also adding that stress caused by the various factors of the pandemic affecting parents may have had an effect on children.
Researchers also touched on the potential effect of mask-wearing on the study, stating that children were unable to see the full facial expressions of the study's staff and that this may have impacted their understanding of test questions and instructions because of limitations posed by masks on non-verbal cues or the understanding of spoken instructions.