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Association between chronic diseases in childhood and subsequent educational achievement: a Danish register-based

Ann-Sophie Buchardt1, Andreas Jensen2,3, Helene Kildegaard2

  • 1Mary Elizabeth's Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. ann-sophie.buchardt@regionh.dk.

European Journal of Epidemiology
|October 14, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Children with severe chronic diseases (SCD) face significant educational challenges, including lower school completion rates and grade point averages (GPAs). These disparities highlight the need for tailored support systems to ensure equitable academic opportunities for all children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Educational Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Severe chronic disease (SCD) in childhood can negatively impact physical health and academic achievement.
  • Existing research suggests a link between childhood illness and educational outcomes, but comprehensive data on specific disease impacts is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between severe chronic disease (SCD) in childhood and educational outcomes in a large, population-based cohort.
  • To assess differences in lower secondary school completion and grade point averages (GPAs) between children with and without SCD.
  • To identify factors influencing these educational disparities, including sex, country of origin, maternal education, and specific medical conditions.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort study involving 20,979 Danish children with SCD and 423,814 controls.
  • Assessment of 9th-grade completion rates and GPAs using logistic and linear regression models.
  • Statistical adjustments for sex, country of origin, and maternal education to isolate the impact of SCD.

Main Results:

  • Children with SCD exhibited a lower probability of completing 9th grade compared to their peers without SCD (males: 0.53 vs. 0.70; females: 0.63 vs. 0.82).
  • Children with SCD also had significantly lower GPAs (males: 6.61 vs. 6.86; females: 7.51 vs. 7.90).
  • Educational gaps were more pronounced in children of mothers with lower education, and neurological/perinatal conditions were associated with the poorest outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Persistent educational inequalities exist among children with severe chronic diseases, even within systems offering universal healthcare and education.
  • The findings underscore the critical need for targeted, cross-sectoral support interventions for children with SCD to mitigate academic disadvantages.
  • Addressing socioeconomic factors, such as maternal education, is crucial for reducing educational disparities in this vulnerable population.

Keywords:
EducationPopulation-basedSchool-aged-childrenSevere chronic disease

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