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Updated: Jan 8, 2026
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Early Intervention as a Way of Reducing Neurocognitive Delay in Pediatric Sickle Cell Patients
London Wilson1, Suzanne I Riskin1
1Department of Foundational Sciences, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clearwater, USA.
Insights
Early intervention (EI) services benefit children with sickle cell disease (SCD), but are underused. Research is needed to optimize EI strategies for better neurocognitive outcomes in pediatric SCD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Genetics
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder disproportionately affecting African Americans.
- SCD increases the risk of neurocognitive decline and developmental delay in children.
- Early intervention (EI) services are underutilized in pediatric SCD patients despite proven benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of specific EI services for pediatric SCD patients.
- To determine if combined EI services yield superior neurocognitive outcomes.
- To identify optimal EI strategies for this population.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review was performed using PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL.
- Searches utilized terms related to sickle cell disease and neurocognitive delay.
- Nineteen pediatric-focused articles were selected following PRISMA guidelines.
Main Results:
- EI services demonstrate significant benefits for children with SCD.
- Evidence suggests EI positively impacts neurocognitive development in this cohort.
- Optimal timing and specific service combinations require further investigation.
Conclusions:
- EI is beneficial for pediatric SCD patients.
- Further research should explore preventative EI and age-related outcomes.
- Optimizing EI can improve neurocognitive trajectories in pediatric SCD.
Abstract:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder that largely affects African Americans in the United States. This disease leads to an increased risk of neurocognitive decline and delay in pediatric patients with or without cerebral events. Despite its proven benefits, early intervention (EI) is underutilized in this population. This review aims to investigate the use of specific EI services within the pediatric SCD population and whether any combination of these services can lead to a better outcome than others. A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The methods involved a systematic search using Boolean-modifier terms related to sickle cell and neurocognitive delay, with inclusion and exclusion criteria applied to select 19 relevant pediatric-focused articles, guided by PRISMA methodology. Results found that the use of EI services has proven to be beneficial in this population. Further research is needed to investigate EI services, such as the use of these therapies for preventative measures prior to symptoms or diagnosis of neurocognitive delay, and whether the starting age could affect the neurocognitive outcomes of the patients.
