Research from the University of Edinburgh has revealed a concerning link between former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon‘s Covid-19 lockdowns and an increase in developmental issues among children. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 258,000 toddlers, found significant rises in developmental concerns during the pandemic.
The research focused on children aged 13-15 months and 27-30 months from January 2019 to August 2023. It reported that between March 2020 and August 2021, there was a 6.6 percentage point increase in the number of children exhibiting at least one developmental concern, particularly in areas such as communication, problem-solving, and fine motor skills.
The findings, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, highlight the need for future pandemic planning to consider the long-term impact of social restrictions on childhood development. Dr. Iain Hardie, a lead researcher, emphasized that while measures aimed at reducing infections were necessary, they inadvertently contributed to increased early childhood development concerns.
In a statement, Professor Bonnie Auyeung expressed hope that this research would inform ongoing discussions about how to best support children who have been affected by the pandemic as they grow.
These findings come at a time when Sturgeon’s lockdown measures have faced scrutiny from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, raising questions about the broader implications of strict public health policies. As children continue to navigate the post-pandemic landscape, understanding the consequences of these measures may be crucial for policymakers and healthcare professionals alike.
