Brain drain? Pandemic effects may have lowered baby IQs, researchers say

The pandemic is leaving its imprint on all of us, but some experts suggest it may be most keenly affecting babies and toddlers.

A new study by researchers at five universities found that babies born during the pandemic may have lower IQ scores than those born before it. Babies who came into the world before the coronavirus had a cognitive score hovering around 100, according to this study. But the test scores of babies born during the pandemic fell sharply, to around 78. That’s 22 points lower than what’s considered normal.