Brief report: Academic attainment in children with sickle cell disease

Abstract

Objective: To examine the impact of sickle cell disease (SCD) on academic attainment; the relation between academic attainment and achievement in SCD; and determinants of attainment in SCD. Methods: Children with SCD and demographically matched peers were compared on academic attainment. Hematocrit, illness frequency, cognitive ability, and socioeconomic status were used to model the predictors of attainment problems. Results: Attainment problems were more frequent in children with SCD (≥31% vs. 14%). A significant number of children showed difficulties with only attainment or academic achievement. Cognitive ability was a strong predictor of both academic outcome measures. Illness-related school absences predicted academic attainment but not achievement. Conclusions: Academic attainment is affected by SCD. Tests of academic achievement are meaningful predictors of functional impairments for children with SCD; however, school outcomes are best evaluated with both achievement and attainment measures.