Predictors of academic achievement for school-age children with sickle cell disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for neurocognitive impairment and poor academic achievement, although there is limited research on factors predicting academic achievement in this population. This study explores the relative contribution to academic achievement of a comprehensive set of factors, such as environmental (socioeconomic status), disease-related (stroke, transfusion therapy, adherence), and psychosocial variables (child behavior, child quality of life (QoL)), controlling for intellectual functioning (IQ). METHODS Eighty-two children with SCD completed measures assessing IQ and academic achievement, while parents completed questionnaires assessing adherence, child behavior, and child quality of life. Medical chart reviews were conducted to determine disease-related factors. RESULTS Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that 55% of the variance in academic skills was accounted for by IQ, parent education, chronic transfusion status, and QoL [R2 = .55, F(5, 77) = 18.34, p < .01]. Follow-up analyses for broad reading [R2 = .52, F(5, 77) = 16.37, p < .01], and math calculation [R2 = .44, F(5, 77) = 12.14, p < .01] were also significant. CONCLUSION The findings suggest a significant contribution of factors beyond IQ to academic achievement. Findings allow for identification of children with SCD at risk for academic difficulties for whom psychoeducational interventions may enhance academic achievement.

Academic Performance and Intelligence Scores of Primary School-aged Children with Sickle Cell Anemia

“…This was demonstrated in this study which showed significant correlation between academic performance and parental educational level both in the subjects and the controls. Smith and colleagues [27] in the USA documented similar finding in children with sickle cell disease. The parental level of education, therefore, has been regarded as an important predictor of children's academic achievement, though as a part of a larger constellation of variables influencing their academic outcome [26].…”

Parental Problem-Solving Abilities and the Association of Sickle Cell Disease Complications with Health-Related Quality of Life for School-Age Children

“…The data presented in this manuscript represent baseline data from a study of a family-based problem-solving skills intervention for school-age children with SCD (Smith, Patterson, Szabo, Tarazi, & Barakat, 2013). Participants were children with SCD between the ages of 6 and 12 and a caregiver.…”

Current Standards of Care and Long Term Outcomes for Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease

“…As a group, children with SCD face educational difficulties from a combination of factors, such as chronic anemia, cerebral infarction, school absenteeism from recurrent illnesses, and hospital visits, limited parenteral education, and low socio-economic status has been associated with poor academic performance [62, 63]. This highlights the importance of psychosocial, school and occupational intervention in SCD patients as a key component of standard care.…”