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Childhood asthma and student performance at school
Howard Taras1, William Potts-Datema
1Division of Community Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0927, USA. htaras@ucsd.edu
The Journal of School Health
|September 24, 2005
Summary
Children with asthma have higher rates of school absenteeism. While some interventions show promise, a clear link between asthma management and improved attendance, or between asthma and academic achievement, requires further research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Childhood asthma is a prevalent chronic condition affecting school-aged children.
- Asthma can lead to increased school absenteeism, potentially impacting academic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on the relationship between childhood asthma, school attendance, and academic outcomes.
- To identify characteristics associated with higher absenteeism in children with asthma.
- To assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing asthma-related absenteeism.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published studies investigating childhood asthma, school attendance, and academic achievement.
- Analysis of study methodologies and reported outcomes.
- Identification of factors correlating with absenteeism and academic performance.
Main Results:
- Studies consistently show higher absenteeism rates among students with asthma, though the precise extent varies.
- Certain child-specific characteristics are linked to increased absenteeism.
- Interventions show some promise, but adherence to medical routines does not yet guarantee improved attendance.
- A weak or non-existent association has been observed between asthma and academic achievement.
Conclusions:
- Children with asthma experience greater school absenteeism.
- Further research is needed to confirm the impact of asthma on academic achievement, especially in specific subpopulations like those with severe symptoms or sleep disturbances.