In a recent study, babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic may have some communication skill deficits.
Researchers from Dublin, Ireland’s Royal College of Surgeons published their study on Tuesday.
Around 89% of the infants studied who were born between 2008 and 2011 could articulate a full word like “bowl” or “cup” at 12 months old, compared to around 77% of infants born during the early months of the pandemic. The share of infants who could point at objects fell from 93% to 84%, and the portion who could wave goodbye fell from 94% to 88%. (Bendix, 10/12)
“Pandemic-associated social isolation may have impacted on the social communication skills in babies born during the pandemic compared with a historical cohort, Babies are resilient and inquisitive by nature, and it is hoped that with societal re-emergence and increase in social circles, their social communication skills will improve,” the researchers concluded.
BABIES: Pandemic-associated social isolation may have impacted the social communication skills in babies born during lockdown compared with a historical cohort. ..should improve with re-emergence and social interactionhttps://t.co/Qfpqe5Pm67
— Monica Gandhi MD, MPH (@MonicaGandhi9) October 12, 2022
According to researchers, probably because infants spend less time in strollers and car seats and parents spend more time at home with their kids during lockdowns, 97% of pandemic infants could crawl at 12 months, compared to 91% of those before the pandemic, a higher percentage.
The Columbia University study, also studies the 255 infants born between March and December of 2020, and was published in January, noted that the children ranked significantly lower on motor skills than infants born in the years before the pandemic as the Irish study is not the only one looking at the developmental abilities of infants born during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was also found a higher risk of delay in fine motor skills and communications at the age of one in China as the Chinese researchers conducted a similar study during its nation’s lockdowns.
The new study on infants notes potential issues among those born during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the fact that many people have expressed worries about the impact of lockdowns on school-age children.
Including approximately 25 million children worldwide missing their routine vaccinations against potentially life-threatening illnesses, the pandemic has led to related health concerns during lockdowns and restrictions as the Daily Wire also reported in July.
In the organization’s press release, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said:
“This is a red alert for child health. We are witnessing the largest sustained drop in childhood immunization in a generation. The consequences will be measured in lives, “ adding, “While a pandemic hangover was expected last year as a result of COVID-19 disruptions and lockdowns, what we are seeing now is a continued decline. COVID-19 is not an excuse. We need immunization catch-ups for the missing millions or we will inevitably witness more outbreaks, more sick children and greater pressure on already strained health systems.”
Sources: Dailywire, Nature, Yahoo
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