Current developmental screening practices in young children with sickle cell disease.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Hematology
• Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
• Public Health

Background:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) can impact children with sickle cell disease (SCD).
• Current guidelines recommend regular developmental screening for children with SCD.
• Observed rates of NDDs in children with SCD appear lower than anticipated, suggesting potential underdiagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the adherence to developmental screening guidelines in children with sickle cell disease.
• To assess the frequency and appropriateness of developmental and autism-specific screenings in this population.
• To identify disparities in screening practices for children with SCD.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 276 children with sickle cell disease.
• Analysis of the availability and completion rates of developmental and autism-specific screenings.
• Examination of the tools used and the age appropriateness of screenings conducted.

Main Results:

• Developmental screening was performed in 70% of charts, while autism-specific screening occurred in only 19%.
• Validated tools were utilized in 32% of general developmental screenings but 92% of autism-specific screenings.
• A significant proportion of children (57%) were screened outside the recommended age windows.

Conclusions:

• Children with sickle cell disease are not consistently receiving recommended developmental screening and surveillance.
• There are significant gaps in the systematic application of validated screening tools and adherence to age guidelines.
• Healthcare providers need to improve the implementation of developmental monitoring for children with SCD to ensure early detection of NDDs.