Neonatal abstinence syndrome and high school performance

Oei, Ju Lee, Melhuish, Edward, Uebel, Hannah, Azzam, Nadin, Breen, Courtney, Burns, Lucinda, Hilder, Lisa, Bajuk, Barbara, Abdel-Latif, Mohamed E., Ward, Meredith, Feller, John M., Falconer, Janet, Clews, Sara, Eastwood, John, Li, Annie, and Wright, Ian M. (2017) Neonatal abstinence syndrome and high school performance. Pediatrics, 139 (2). e20162651.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Little is known of the long-term, including school, outcomes of children diagnosed with Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) (International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Problems [10th Edition], Australian Modification, P96.1).

METHODS: Linked analysis of health and curriculum-based test data for all children born in the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, between 2000 and 2006. Children with NAS (n = 2234) were compared with a control group matched for gestation, socioeconomic status, and gender (n = 4330, control) and with other NSW children (n = 598 265, population) for results on the National Assessment Program: Literacy and Numeracy, in grades 3, 5, and 7.

RESULTS: Mean test scores (range 0-1000) for children with NAS were significantly lower in grade 3 (359 vs control: 410 vs population: 421). The deficit was progressive. By grade 7, children with NAS scored lower than other children in grade 5. The risk of not meeting minimum standards was independently associated with NAS (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-2.7), indigenous status (aOR, 2.2; 95% CI, 2.2-2.3), male gender (aOR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.3-1.4), and low parental education (aOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1- 1.6), with all Ps < .001.

CONCLUSIONS: A neonatal diagnostic code of NAS is strongly associated with poor and deteriorating school performance. Parental education may decrease the risk of failure. Children with NAS and their families must be identified early and provided with support to minimize the consequences of poor educational outcomes.

Item ID: 62794
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1098-4275
Copyright Information: © 2017 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Date Deposited: 15 Jun 2022 03:53
FoR Codes: 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3213 Paediatrics > 321303 Neonatology @ 100%
SEO Codes: 20 HEALTH > 2005 Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health) > 200506 Neonatal and child health @ 100%
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