Objective:

To evaluate the rates of new neurodevelopmental diagnoses for children in Ontario before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting its significance for public health.

Key Findings:

• Prior to the pandemic, 24% of publicly insured and 11% of privately insured children in the US were expected to receive at least one neurodevelopmental diagnosis by age 8, indicating a concerning trend.
• The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes in learning and healthcare access for children, with specific data showing a decrease in diagnoses during lockdowns.
• Emerging evidence suggests prenatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and pandemic-related changes may be linked to neurodevelopmental delays, warranting further investigation.

Interpretation:

The study aims to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders, hypothesizing a decrease during the pandemic and an increase post-pandemic, with implications for healthcare policy.

Limitations:

• The study relies on administrative data, which may have limitations in accuracy and completeness, potentially introducing biases.
• The definition of the postpandemic period is arbitrary and may not reflect actual changes in health care delivery.

Conclusion:

The findings will provide insights into trends in neurodevelopmental diagnoses in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, informing public health strategies and future research directions.