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COVID-19 and Neurodevelopmental Delays in Early Childhood: A Longitudinal Analysis of Developmental Outcomes in
Youn Young Choi1,2, Kyung-Shin Lee3, Seul Gi Park2
1Public Health Research Institute, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly increased developmental delays in children across communication, cognitive, and motor skills. Socioeconomically disadvantaged children faced greater risks, necessitating targeted support.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurodevelopment
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had profound global impacts.
- Understanding its effects on child neurodevelopment is crucial for early intervention.
- Longitudinal data is essential to track developmental trajectories during public health crises.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children.
- To compare developmental trajectories before and during the pandemic across various age groups.
- To identify specific domains of development and demographic groups most affected.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal analysis of over 1.8 million children using the Korean Developmental Screening Test for Infants and Children.
- Comparison of developmental outcomes between pre-pandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) periods.
- Stratification by five age groups (9-65 months) and socioeconomic status.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in potential developmental delays observed during the pandemic across communication, cognitive, social interaction, self-care, and fine motor skills.
- All age groups showed disruptions in communication and fine motor skills.
- Children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds exhibited higher risks in all developmental domains.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted child neurodevelopment, particularly in communication and motor skills.
- Socioeconomic disparities exacerbate developmental risks during public health crises.
- Targeted interventions and continuous monitoring are vital to mitigate pandemic-related developmental disruptions in children.
Abstract:
This study employed a longitudinal analysis to evaluate the association between the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and neurodevelopment by analyzing over 1.8 million children from the Korean Developmental Screening Test for Infants and Children included in South Korea's National Health Screening Program. We compared the developmental outcomes in five age groups-9-17 months, 18-29 months, 30-41 months, 42-53 months, and 54-65 months-between the pre-pandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) periods. Significant increases in potential developmental delays were observed during the pandemic in communication, cognitive, social interaction, self-care, and fine motor skills across most age groups. All five age groups experienced notable disruptions in communication and fine motor skills. Children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds faced higher risks across all domains. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and continuous monitoring to support the developmental needs of children affected by pandemic-related disruptions.
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