Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2025
07:24
A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy
1.8K
Statewide Academic Performance of High School Students With Sickle Cell Disease
Andrew M Heitzer1, Meredith Ray2, Andrew Wiese3
1Department of Psychology & Biobehavioral Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|August 2, 2025
Summary
Sickle cell disease (SCD) negatively impacts academic performance in high school students, leading to lower English proficiency and increased grade retention, partly due to frequent school absences.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Educational Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescent academic underachievement in sickle cell disease (SCD) correlates with increased healthcare utilization and diminished adult quality of life.
- Understanding the academic impact of SCD is crucial for developing targeted support interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the academic performance of high school students with SCD to their peers without SCD.
- To identify specific academic outcomes affected by SCD, controlling for race and sex.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study utilizing Tennessee Medicaid claims and educational data (2007-2019).
- Matched analysis comparing students with SCD to a control group (1:8 ratio).
- Academic achievement assessed via end-of-course proficiency, grade retention, school withdrawal, and days absent.
Main Results:
- Students with SCD demonstrated lower odds of English proficiency (OR 0.8; P < 0.001).
- Students with SCD were more likely to be retained in ninth grade (OR 1.2; P = 0.045).
- School absence significantly mediated the effect of SCD on grade retention (indirect effect OR 1.18; P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Sickle cell disease adversely affects academic performance in adolescents.
- Frequent school absences emerge as a key factor mediating the negative impact of SCD on academic attainment.
Related Concept Videos
01:49Multiple Allele Traits
34.9K
The Concept of Multiple Allelism
34.9K
01:29Reliability and Validity
13.2K
Reliability and validity are two important considerations that must be made with any type of data collection. Reliability refers to the ability to consistently produce a given result. In the context of psychological research, this would mean that any instruments or tools used to collect data do so in consistent, reproducible ways.
13.2K
01:27Disorders of Erythrocytes
1.2K
Disorders of erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs), include a range of conditions affecting their number, shape, or function.
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
1.2K
01:22Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants
500
Bone marrow transplant is a potential cure for several diseases, including cancer and specific genetic disorders. Notably, this procedure is applicable for patients suffering from aplastic anemia, certain types of leukemia, severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, thalassemia, sickle-cell disease, and certain cancers.
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...
500
01:24Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
93
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...
93
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
48
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
48