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Neurobehavioral impact of sickle cell disease in early childhood

Jeffrey Schatz1, Carla W Roberts

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29205, USA. schatz@sc.edu

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS
|October 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) show early executive function deficits, especially in working memory, regardless of neurologic risk. These cognitive challenges emerge in early childhood, impacting development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Sickle cell disease (SCD) effects manifest early, yet behavioral research often overlooks early childhood.
  • Neurologic risk stratification in SCD is crucial for understanding developmental trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of higher vs. lower neurologic risk on cognitive and behavioral development in young children with SCD.
  • To identify early signs of executive function deficits in toddlers and preschoolers with SCD.

Main Methods:

  • Compared 39 children with higher risk SCD to 22 children with lower risk SCD.
  • Evaluated language, motor abilities, executive functions, and temperament in participants.
  • Utilized parent-reported measures for activity levels.

Main Results:

  • Language and motor skills declined with age but were not linked to SCD risk subgroups.
  • Children with higher risk SCD exhibited poorer executive functions, particularly working memory, irrespective of age.
  • Parent-reported activity levels were lower in children with higher risk SCD.

Conclusions:

  • Early childhood behavioral and cognitive impacts of SCD are evident, including working memory impairments.
  • Executive function deficits in SCD can appear early, potentially influencing broader cognitive and behavioral development.
  • Neurologic risk is a significant factor in early executive function development in children with SCD.

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