Skip to main content
. 2023 Mar 11;182(5):2041–2055. doi: 10.1007/s00431-023-04910-8

Table 2.

Studies methodology and main findings

Author, year N Sample Main findings
Groups Instruments N per instrument Child’s age at assessment
Wang et al. [46] (2020) 57 EN (n = 57)

ASQ-3

ASQ: SE-2

57 3 months

Children at risk for delay:

19.2% CM, 13.5% GM, 23.1% FM, 19.2% PBS, 23.1% PS, 86.4% SE

Subdomain scores inversely associated with the duration of dyad separation:

CM (p = 0.026), GM (p = 0.036), PS (p = 0.044)

Wu et al. [39]

(2021)

135

EN (n = 57)

NE (n = 78)

ASQ-3

ASQ: SE-2

135 3 months

% Global delay: EN > NE (p = 0.35)

% SE delay: EN > NE (p = 0.2)

Subdomain delay: EN > NE, FM (p = 0.092) and PS (p = 0.24)

Subdomains scores: EN < NE, GM (p = 0.006), FM (p = 0.038), PBS (p = 0.002), and PS (p = 0.002)

Subdomain scores inversely associated with the dyad separation duration:

GM (p = 0.008)

Cheng et al. [38] (2021) 18

EN (n = 9)

NE (n = 9)

ASQ-3 18 8–10 months Subdomain scores: EN < NE, FM (p = 0.031), CM (p = 0.086), GM (p = 0.521) PBS (p = 0.401), PS (p = 0.430)
Schuh et al. [45] (2022) 33 EN (n = 33) ASQ-3 15 6 months All normal

Shuffrey et al.[40]

(2022)

317

PC (n = 255)

EN (n = 114)

NE (n = 141)

HC (n = 62)

ASQ 3 317 5- 6 months

Comparison between exposed and non-exposed infants:

Subdomain scores: EN < NE, CM (p = 0.89), GM (p = 0.63), PBS (p = 0.81)

EN = NE, FM (p = 0.99)

EN > NE, PS (p = 0.34)

Comparison between pandemic and historical cohorts:

Subdomain scores: PC < HC, GM (p < 0.001), FM (p < 0.001), PS (p = 0.01), PBS (p = 0.67)

PC > HC, CM (p = 0.29)

Subdomain delay: PC > HC, GM (p = 0.01)

Association between the trimester of pregnancy and the pandemic peak:

Subdomain scores: 1st trim < 2nd and 3rd trim, GM(p = 0.001), FM(p = 0.0005), PS (p = 0.002)

Munian et al. [47]

(2021)

127

PEN (n = 19)

NEN (n = 108)

DP3

Amiel-Tison

127 6 months Global delay: 5.2% PEN vs. 0.9 NEN (p > 0.05)

Buonsenso et al. [48]

(2022)

199 EN (n = 199)

Postural development

(GM)

120

82

40

20

1 month

3 months

6 months

9 months

All normal
Ayed et al. [44] (2022) 298 EN (n = 298) ASQ-3 298 10–12 months

Children at risk for delay: 0.3% CM, 2.6% GM, 4% FM, 1% PBS, 3% PS

Association of gestational trimester and risk for delay: 1st and 2nd trim > 3rd trim (p < 0.001)

Mulkey et al. [49]

(2022)

34

IU-S (n = 16)

IU-A (n = 12)

Neo (n = 6)

ASQ-3 34 3–17 months

Children at risk for delay (ASQ scores close to or below the cutoff):

Any ASQ domain: 69% IU-S, 50% IU-A, 50% Neo

CM: 38% IU-S, 17% IU-A, 33% Neo

GM: 56% IU-S, 33% IU-A, 17% Neo

FM: 69% IU-S, 42% IU-A, 33% Neo

PB: 50% IU-S, 25% IU-A, 33% Neo

PS: 63% IU-S, 17% IU-A, 33% Neo

Association of maternal symptoms and risk for delay:

Global: IU-S > IU-A (p = 0.04), FM: IU-S > IU-A (p = 0.01), PS: IU-S > IU-A (p = 0.02)

Martinez et al. [50]

(2023)

239

EN (n = 124)

NTC (n = 115)

GMA

CDC-DM

230

109

3–5 months

6–8 months

General movements assessments:

MOS-R median (IQR): 23 (21–24) EN, 25 (24–26) NTC (p < 0.001)

MOS-R optimal range (25–28): 17.4% EN, 54.8% NTC (p < 0.001)

MOS-R < 20: 14% EN, 0% NTC (P < 0.001)

EN: 7% abnormal exaggerated fidgety movements; 11.3% normal equals to or less than abnormal movement patterns; 71.3% normal equals to or less than abnormal postural patterns; 78.3% Abnormal but not cramped-synchronized movements (p < 0.001)

CDC-DM assessment:

% Developmental Delay (DD): EN 11.9%

% DD by gestational trimester: 23.1% T1, 9.1% T2, 11.1% T3 (p = 0.40)

EN exposed neonates, NE non-exposed neonates, PEN positive exposed neonates, NEN negative exposed neonate, PC pandemic cohort, HC historic cohort, IU-S in utero exposed to symptomatic mothers, IU-A in utero exposed to asymptomatic mothers, Neo exposed in the neonatal period, NTC neurotypical controls, ASQ-3 Ages and Stages Questionnaires Edition 3, ASQ:SE-2 Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional, second edition, DP3 Developmental Profile 3, GMA General Movement Assessment, CDC-DM Centers on Disease Control - Developmental Milestones, CM communication, GM gross motor, PBS problem-solving, SE socio-emotional, FM fine motor, PS personal-social, MOS-R Motor Optimality Score - Revised