A multidisciplinary health care team's efforts to improve educational attainment in children with sickle-cell anemia and cerebral infarcts

Children with sickle-cell disease (SCD) are at risk for multiorgan disease including cerebral infarcts. (1) At least 30% of children with sickle-cell anemia have cerebral infarcts before 18 years of [...]
The primary objective of this study was to improve the educational success of children with sickle-cell disease (SCD) and cerebral infarcts. A prospective intervention trial was conducted; a multidisciplinary team was created to maximize educational resources for children with SCD and cerebral infarcts. Students were evaluated systematically before and after the intervention. A baseline evaluation was completed assessing the presence of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), grade retention in school, and days absent from school in the year preceding the intervention. A postintervention assessment occurred 2 years later for these same measurements. At baseline, 74% (17 of 23) of the students were receiving IEPs. Two years later, 87% (20 of 23) students received 1EPs (p = .34). Despite the intervention, the rate of children retained in their school grade increased from 0.6per 100 years in school at baseline to 1.7 per 100 years, 95% CI (-3.86, 1.49). The school absenteeism rate did not significantly change after the intervention; the average days absent per student rose from 15.5 to 22.5, (p = .05). The multidisciplinary team effort alone was insufficient to decrease grade retention and absenteeism rate. Further support, from either the parents or school administration, is needed to increase education attainment of students with cerebral infarcts.