Abstract

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to emergence of new developmental risk factors. Developmental risk factors for young children with inherited metabolic disorders have not been studied based on a comprehensive framework. We aimed to determine the developmental risk factors of young children with inherited metabolic disorders during COVID-19 pandemic based on bioecological theory.

Material and Methods: In a cross-sectional design, children aged 0-42 months that who had appointments at Ankara University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics (AUDP) Pediatric Metabolism Division with the diagnoses of inherited metabolic disorders were recruited between October 1st, 2020 to January 1st, 2021. Developmental risk factors were assessed with a semi-structured interview based on questions of the Expanded Guide for Monitoring Child Development revised for the pandemic at AUDP Developmental Pediatrics Division.

Results: The sample consisted of 95 children with inherited metabolic disorders (median age:25, IQR: 17-35 months, 57.9% boys). Most children (54 children, 56.8%) had amino-acid metabolism disorders. Child-related developmental risk factors included new behavioral problems in most of the sample (53 children, 55.8%) and increased screen time in 26 children (27.3%). As family-related developmental risk factors, 40 children (42.1%) were living with a family member diagnosed with major depression. In environment-related developmental risk factors; 41 families (43.2%) experienced a decrease in their household income and 21 (22.1%) loss of job during the pandemic, 17 (17.9%) delay in health care follow up visits, 8 of 28 (28.6%) discontinuity of intervention and rehabilitation services. Participation in life was severely limited in 42 (44.2%) children with inherited metabolic disorders.


Conclusion: Apart from life threatening medical problems, children and their families in Turkey and potentially in other low- and middle-income countries face multiple developmental risk factors. Preventable or reducible risk factors should be addressed to support these children’s development in this pandemic and beyond.

Keywords: child development, COVID-19, Family, Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Risk Factors

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How to cite

1.
Özalp Akın E, Eminoğlu FT. Developmental Risk Factors of Young Children with Inherited Metabolic Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Turk J Pediatr Dis [Internet]. 2022 Sep. 20 [cited 2025 May 25];16(5):415-20. Available from: https://turkjpediatrdis.org/article/view/854