The Role of Family Functioning in the Development of Executive Functions in Preschool Children with Sickle Cell Anemia

ABSTRACT

Executive functions are compromised in children with sickle cell anemia. There is limited research on the development of executive functions in preschool children with sickle cell anemia and the factors that contribute to executive dysfunction. We looked at the relation between biomedical and environmental factors, including family functioning and socioeconomic status, and executive functions in 22 preschool children with sickle cell anemia. We found that family functioning was the strongest predictor of executive outcomes in young children with sickle cell anemia with no evidence for an influence of disease severity at this early stage.

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Child Health Research Charitable Incorporated Organization and supported by the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Center at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust and University College London. Prof Kirkham was funded by the National Institute for Health Research for Patient Benefit Stream, Great Ormond Street Children’s Charity, and Action Medical Research.

Disclosure of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Child Health Research Charitable Incorporated Organization;National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Center at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust and University College London.