Academic attainment findings in children with sickle cell disease

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) demonstrate deficits in cognitive and academic functioning. This study compared the academic attainment of children with SCD relative to national, state, and local school district rates for African American students.

A retrospective chart review of children with SCD was completed and academic information was collected from caregiver report and school records. One-sample tests of proportions were calculated to compare academic attainment rates in children with SCD relative to national, state, and local school district normative data of African American students.

Overall, 197 patient records were reviewed. A higher proportion of children with SCD were retained a grade relative to national, state, and local school district rates for African American students. In addition, a higher proportion of children with SCD received special education services relative to the national, state, and local school district rates for African American students.

Children with SCD demonstrate higher rates of special education services and grade retention relative to African American peers. Overall, children with SCD demonstrate poorer academic attainment relative to healthy, African American peers highlighting the need for increased focus on special education services to address school performance issues within this population.