Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 24, 2026

A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy
07:24

A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy

2.0K

Developmental Screening in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease: Disease-Related Risk and Screening Outcomes in 4 Year Olds

Jeffrey Schatz1, Alyssa Schlenz, Laura Reinman

  • 1*Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC; †Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC; ‡Department of Pediatrics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|August 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Four-year-olds with sickle cell disease (SCD) and high-risk genotypes showed developmental delays. Early screening using parent reports and behavioral testing can identify children needing support for neurodevelopmental concerns related to SCD.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Early child development in sickle cell disease (SCD) shows links between disease risks and developmental status.
  • These associations become more apparent by early elementary school age.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess if biomedical risk factors for neurologic disease in 4-year-old children with SCD relate to developmental screening outcomes.
  • To identify an intermediate age for screening preschoolers with SCD.

Main Methods:

  • Seventy-seven 4-year-old children with SCD underwent developmental screenings.
  • Screenings included child testing (Fluharty Preschool Speech and Language Screenings Test, 2nd ed.) and parent-report (Ages and Stages Questionnaire, 2nd ed.).
  • Genotype and other biomedical variables were extracted from medical records.

Main Results:

  • Children with higher-risk SCD genotypes performed worse on syntactic processing compared to lower-risk genotypes.
  • High-risk genotypes were associated with significantly higher rates of positive developmental milestone screenings (52% vs. 12%).
  • Screening outcomes correlated with transcranial Doppler ultrasound findings indicating cerebral blood flow.

Conclusions:

  • Developmental screening at age 4 is a potential strategy for identifying preschoolers with SCD-related neurodevelopmental concerns.
  • Both parent-reported developmental milestones and behavioral testing can aid in screening for children requiring follow-up.
  • Early identification allows for timely intervention to address potential neurodevelopmental effects of SCD.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry08:23

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry

Published on: November 5, 2019

10.4K
Magnetic Levitation Coupled with Portable Imaging and Analysis for Disease Diagnostics07:42

Magnetic Levitation Coupled with Portable Imaging and Analysis for Disease Diagnostics

Published on: February 19, 2017

9.2K

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
329
Preventive Healthcare Services01:30

Preventive Healthcare Services

Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
2.2K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
375