A search arrives on effects of restrictions on children. Children under five years old they are more likely to have small, albeit modest, delays in their physical and cognitive development due to the restrictions caused by the Covid pandemic.
Effects of restrictions on children: Over 5,000 studies analyzed
The news comes from a study by the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. The researchers have analyzed the screening scores of the stages of the developmental process in children before and after the pandemic. You can read the results in the scientific journal Journal of American Medical Association Pediatrics.
The working group of the prestigious research center used the data contained in the Comprehensive Health and Decision Information System. Collects more information than 5,000 pediatric and healthcare provider practices in 48 of the 50 states that make up the USA.
More than 50,000 children compared
The experts considered the fundamental state of development of 50,205 children aged between 0 and 5 years. After the analysis the work team discovered:
a decline in 3% in communication skillsof the 2% in problem-solving ability. Same percentage of difficulties regarding relationships in the social sphere.
There are effects of restrictions on children, but they are modest
Fortunately, delays in developmental milestones are not significant. The researchers’ goal was precisely to understand what were the changes in the children’s developmental growthforced to have fewer interactions with their peers and even their close relatives, such as grandparents.
The results of the analysis showed that most of the little patients lived an increase in stress and anxiety levels due to social isolation and the consequent inability to carry out normal daily activities.
The impact on sleep and obesity had already been analysed
Already Previous research had indicated a negative impact on night rest and also on overweight in children. In the first year of life, experts reported no difference in the children’s motor skills.