Repercussions of a pandemic outbreak on the motor and linguistic development of infant from 18 to 24 months

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate and compare the motor and linguistic development of neurotypical infantren aged 18 to 24 months, who were born in a period of pandemic outbreak (Study Group - SG), with the Control Group (CG), that were evaluated pre-pandemic. Iniciar com o verbo no infinitivo, de forma clara quais são os objetivos do trabalho. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study, the data collection was carried out using the collection instruments used: interviews with parents and a self-completed questionnaire; Hearing Assessment; in addition to this, cognitive screening and complete batteries of motor and language scales from the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development®, Third Edition (Bayley III), were used.  Results: A total of 44 infants participated in the study (22 in the Study Group - SG, evaluated in the post-pandemic period; and 22 in the Control Group - GC, evaluated in the pre-pandemic period). The SG showed a tendency towards an advantage over the CG in language-related outcomes, despite possible restrictions associated with social distancing and the use of masks. On the other hand, the CG performed better in terms of gross motor skills, possibly associated with circulation restrictions and increased use of screen devices. The maternal schooling and family income differed between groups, being favorable to the SG, which may have represented protective factors, attenuating the restrictive effects of social distancing measures and minimizing greater impacts on this sample.  Conclusion: The studied sample (SG) that experienced the restrictions imposed by the pandemic outbreak may have been protected by other factors such as higher family income and maternal education.