Academic achievement in children with oral clefts versus unaffected siblings

Brent R Collett; George L Wehby; Sheila Barron; Paul A Romitti; Timothy N Ansley; Matthew L Speltz

doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsu049

Academic achievement in children with oral clefts versus unaffected siblings

J Pediatr Psychol. 2014 Aug;39(7):743-51. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsu049. Epub 2014 Jul 3.

Authors

Brent R Collett¹, George L Wehby², Sheila Barron², Paul A Romitti², Timothy N Ansley², Matthew L Speltz²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa Testing Programs, Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, and Department of Psychology and Quantitative Foundations, University of Iowa bcollett@u.washington.edu.
² Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa Testing Programs, Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, and Department of Psychology and Quantitative Foundations, University of Iowa.

Abstract

Objective: To compare academic achievement in children with oral-facial clefts (OFC) with their unaffected siblings.

Methods: 256 children with OFC were identified from the Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders, and 387 unaffected siblings were identified from birth certificates. These data were linked to Iowa Testing Programs achievement data. We compared academic achievement in children with OFC with their unaffected siblings using linear regression models, adjusted for potential confounders. In post hoc analyses, we explored modifiers of siblings' academic performance.

Results: Achievement scores were similar between children with OFC and their siblings. Children with cleft palate only were significantly more likely to use special education than their unaffected siblings. Siblings' academic achievement was inversely related to distance in birth order and age from the affected child.

Conclusion: Children with OFC and their siblings received similar achievement scores. Younger siblings, in particular, may share a vulnerability to poor academic outcomes.

Keywords: academic achievement; orofacial cleft; sibling.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Achievement*
Adolescent
Child
Cleft Palate / psychology*
Educational Status
Female
Humans
Male
Siblings / psychology*
Young Adult

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

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