Neurodevelopmental Status of Children Born During COVID-19 Pandemic in Belagavi City: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The implementation of containment measures during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced outdoor activities for children. Previous research has suggested that these restrictions negatively affected children’s psychological well-being and heightened the risk of developmental delays. The study aims to assess the neurodevelopmental status of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic in Belagavi city, using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID IV). Method: This cross-sectional study enrolled 48 participants from pre-schools in Belagavi city between August 2023 and January 2024. BSID IV was used to assess neurodevelopment across various domains. Central tendency measures were calculated for demographic data. Independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA were employed to compare categorical and continuous demographic characteristics of the study participants, mothers, fathers, and families with BSID IV scores. Result: The neurodevelopmental status of the participants revealed the following mean scores: Cognitive domain (115.1±10.7), Language domain (101.9±10.5), Fine motor domain (102.9±10.3), Communication domain (93.1±8.6), Socio-emotional domain (103.0±11.6), Socialization (100.2±8.1), Daily living skills (97.08±6.98), and Adaptive behavior (95.6±7.6). Conclusion: The neurodevelopmental status of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic in Belagavi city shows variations across domains. Cognitive development is within the average range, but language development is somewhat lower, with communication skills particularly affected.