Did social inequalities in child development change during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany?

Abstract Background Early childhood development (aged <6 years) is dependent on the social conditions in which children live and strongly affect their life course trajectory. This study describes changes in social inequalities in language development during the COVID-19 pandemic based on data from the legally prescribed school entry examination in the German federal state of Brandenburg. The aim is to inform public health interventions for individuals at risk of long-term health inequalities. Methods Secondary data from three cohorts of 5-7-year-olds were used [n = 19,2992018|19; n = 19,9162019|20; n = 19,6982020|21]. Language development was assessed as delayed compared to peers [LD yes/no], measured by public health services using validated instruments. Descriptive bivariate and multivariate analyses [OR, 95%CI] examined language delay [%] with social inequalities defined by (1) an index composed of parents’ reported education and occupation [SEP low|high], (2) ‘German native language’ [yes|no] and (3) ‘years of kindergarten attendance’ [<4|≥4]. Results Overall, the proportion of LD decreased over the years (21.1%2018|19; 19.2%2019|20; 18.8%2020|21), both among children from families with high SEP (14.3%2018|19; 13.0%2020|21) and from German-speaking families (20.2%2018|19; 17.8%2020|21). LD rates among children increased with low SEP (42.4%2018|19; 43.4%2020|21) and remained constant with a non-German native language (36.0%2018|19; 35.5%2020|21). The probability for LD differed only for SEP (2018|19: ORlow|high=4.4, 3.93-4.94; 2020|21: ORlow|high=5.12, 4.54-5.77) and for native language (2018|19: ORnon-German|German=2.22, 1.86-2.66; 2020|21: ORnon-German|German=2.54, 2.19-2.95). Conclusions Social inequalities in language development based on SEP and native language increased slightly during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Research should examine the effects of the pandemic on early development as well as protective and risk factors on a longitudinal basis. Key messages • Social inequality in early development increased in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. • To reduce health inequality in the life course, longitudinal research should assess the impact of the pandemic on child development.