The COVID-19 pandemic has had a notable impact on the physical and social development of children born between March and May 2020, as revealed by a study conducted by Irish researchers. The study focused on families with children born during the first three months of the pandemic in Ireland, observing their physical development at six, 12, and 24 months of age. The study found that most babies born during the pandemic spoke their first words two years after their birth, indicating a delay in language development. This delay can be attributed to the restrictions imposed during the pandemic, which prevented parents and babies from leaving their homes.