Study: Babies born in first year of pandemic showed neurodevelopmental differences

A small study found that babies born during the first year of the pandemic showed neurodevelopmental differences at six months of age.

According to the study, the infants measured lower in gross motor, fine motor and personal-social skills. Some examples would include lifting their head, reaching or grabbing objects, and interacting with their parents.

Katherine Myers, MD, a pediatrician with Cleveland Clinic, says she’s not surprised by the results.

"We were worried that the time away from the public, the time away from school, that time away from family members might be having some impact on children’s development, and ultimately, this study has shown us that at least at six months, there seem to be some differences in development," said Myers.

Dr. Myers says it’s hard to say how these kinds of delays in development could affect a child long-term, that’s something that still needs to be studied.

However, she does advise parents to be as involved as possible with their children at an early age. She says those interactions are very important.