The pandemic was unquestionably a history-making moment for the entire world. Schools and jobs all closed, forcing people to remain isolated within their own pods. Most recently, studies have shown that this has adversely affected educational success among school-aged students. And now, a newer study, points to more adverse affects on even younger children, signaling that children born during the pandemic have poorer communication skills.
The study was led by Susan Byrne, senior lecturer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), and Jonathan Hourihane, the RCSI’s professor of pediatrics. The team focused on babies who were born in the first three months of the pandemic lockdown. The study compared these with a group of children born before the pandemic. A total of 354 families and their babies were involved in the study.
“We wanted to understand what life was like for babies born during the pandemic, and what it might mean for their general health and development,” Byrne told the Observer in a recent interview.
Other than poorer communication skills, the Byrne and her team found additional shocking discoveries that included:
- At six months, an average of only three people had kissed babies, including their parents
- Babies by this age had met very few, if any other relatives or family friends
- One out of four of the babies had not met another child their own age by their first birthday
- Parents described raising their child(ren) during this time as “lonely” and “isolating”
- Babies born during the pandemic probably heard fewer words because they were not getting out of their houses
However, the research team noted that developmental markers such as motor skills and problem-solving skills did not seem to suffer when compared to pre-pandemic babies. Additionally, there seemed to be no differences in behaviors such as sleep problems, anxiety or social withdrawal.
“Babies are resilient and inquisitive by nature, and it is very likely that with societal re-emergence and increase in social circles that their social communication skills will improve. However, this cohort and the global population of pandemic babies it represents will need to be followed up to school age to ensure that this is the case.”
As these children continue to grow, it is no doubt that science will continue to follow their development in light of pandemic influence.
