Developmental screening of three‐year‐old children with sickle cell disease compared to controls

Abstract

Summary We previously found that neurodevelopmental deficits commonly occurred in three‐year‐olds with sickle cell disease (SCD), but clinical significance was uncertain because a comparison group was lacking. Our objective in the current study was to prospectively compare neurodevelopment in three‐year‐old children with SCD to an age‐appropriate control group. The Brigance Preschool Screen II is a neurodevelopmental screening examination which can be administered in 15–20 min. SCD patients (Group 1) were compared with community controls of similar age and ethnicity enrolled in daycare/preschool (Group 2). SCD patients who were receiving hydroxycarbamide treatment were also compared (Group 3). Two hundred forty‐five three‐year‐olds were evaluated: Group 1, 111; Group 2, 114; and Group 3, 20. The below cut‐off rate on the Brigance test was higher in Group 1 (73%) than in Group 2 (61%; P = 0·04). In multivariate analysis of Group 1 patients, only lower household income and more persons living in the home were independent predictors of this. Patients with SCD and matched controls had high rates of ‘failing’ the Brigance test. The below cut‐off rate in untreated children with SCD was associated with low household income and increased number of persons living in the home.

Mind the gap: trajectory of cognitive development in young individuals with sickle cell disease: a cross-sectional study

“…The cross-sectional developmental trajectory approach gives only an initial understanding as to how cognitive performance might develop with age but needs to be validated in longitudinal follow-up studies. Therefore, observing these children from birth, taking both disease-related ( 83 ), social and environmental factors ( 84 ) into account would be the ideal way to assess developmental changes and to control for potential confounding variables. However, this methodology is challenging due to funding restrictions and participants being lost to follow-up.…”

Health literacy correlates with abbreviated full‐scale IQ in adolescent and young adults with sickle cell disease

“…Indeed, weaknesses in comprehension, reasoning, and academics have been well‐established in the SCD population 33,34 . Vocabulary development and academic skills in SCD are particularly vulnerable to the effects of child and parental socioeconomic status 32,35,36 . This emphasizes the need for targeted and readily accessible interventions that address academic deficits.…”

Working memory and school readiness in preschool children with sickle cell disease compared to demographically matched controls

“…Of the few studies that have examined cognitive functioning in toddler‐ and preschool‐aged children with SCD, most either examined data using a screener of overall cognitive ability 24–27 or a broad measure of early development, 28 thus lacking specific or granular information. Five studies examined performance across specific domains of neurocognitive functioning in preschool‐aged children with SCD 29–33 .…”