Effects of the Global COVID-19 Pandemic on Early Childhood Development: Short- and Long-Term Risks and Mitigating Program and Policy Actions

In just a matter of weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to huge societal public health and economic challenges worldwide. The clinical effects of COVID-19 on young children are uncertain when compared with older age groups, with lower morbidity and mortality rates and no conclusive evidence supporting transmission during pregnancy, on the one hand, 1,2 but some emerging evidence of rising rates of child hyperinflammatory shock, on the other.3 Research on the effects of prior pandemics and disasters clearly indicates that there will be both immediate and long-term adverse consequences for many children, with particular risks faced during early childhood, when brain architecture is still rapidly developing and highly sensitive to environmental adversity4.

Source: The Journal of Pediatrics - May 17, 2020 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Hirokazu Yoshikawa, Alice J. Wuermli, Pia Rebello Britto, Benard Dreyer, James F. Leckman, Stephen J. Lye, Liliana Angelica Ponguta, Linda M. Richter, Alan Stein Tags: Commentary Source Type: research