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Perazzo D, Moore R, Kasparian NA, Rodts M, Horowitz-Kraus T, Crosby L, Turpin B, Beck AF, Hutton J. Chronic pediatric diseases and risk for reading difficulties: a narrative review with recommendations. Pediatr Res 2022; 92:966-978. [PMID: 35121848 PMCID: PMC9586865 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-01934-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Literacy is a major social determinant of health, rooted in skills that develop during early childhood. Children arriving at kindergarten unprepared to learn to read are more likely to have low reading proficiency thereafter. General and health literacy are highly correlated, affecting understanding of health conditions, treatment adherence, and transition to self-care and adult healthcare services. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends literacy and school readiness promotion during well-visits and neurodevelopmental surveillance is emphasized across primary and subspecialty care. While genetic and environmental risk factors for reading difficulties are well-established, risks related to complex and chronic medical conditions are less appreciated and under-researched. This review applies an eco-bio-developmental framework to explore literacy across five complex chronic conditions affecting millions of children worldwide: asthma, cancer, congenital heart disease, epilepsy, and sickle cell disease. In each, integration of an efficient reading brain network may be impacted by direct factors, such as ischemia, anesthesia, and/or medications, and also indirect factors, such as altered parent-child routines, hospital stays, and missed school. By integrating literacy into care management plans for affected children, pediatric primary care and specialty providers are poised to identify risks early, target guidance and interventions, and improve academic and health outcomes. IMPACT: While genetic and environmental risk factors for reading difficulties are well-established, risks related to complex and/or chronic medical conditions such as asthma, cancer, congenital heart disease, epilepsy, and sickle cell disease are substantial, less appreciated, and under-researched. General and health literacy are highly correlated, with implications for the understanding one's health condition, treatment adherence, and transitioning to self-care, which is especially important for children with complex and/or chronic illness. Pediatric primary care and specialty providers are poised to integrate reading and literacy into care management plans for children with complex and/or chronic illness, including early screening, guidance, support, and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Perazzo
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Reading and Literacy Discovery Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Ryan Moore
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Nadine A. Kasparian
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Center for Heart Disease and Mental Health, Heart Institute and Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Megan Rodts
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Reading and Literacy Discovery Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.6451.60000000121102151Educational Neuroimaging Center, Faculty of Education in Science and Technology and Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Lori Crosby
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training and Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Brian Turpin
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Andrew F. Beck
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - John Hutton
- Reading and Literacy Discovery Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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Martin KJ, Beck AF, Xu Y, Szumlas GA, Hutton JS, Crosh CC, Copeland KA. Shared Reading and Risk of Social-Emotional Problems. Pediatrics 2022; 149:183798. [PMID: 34889450 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-034876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends literacy promotion as well as routine developmental surveillance during well-child visits to improve academic, relational, and health outcomes. In this study, we examined the possible association between shared reading and social-emotional problems among young children. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of longitudinal records for children aged 30 to 66 months presenting for visits to an academic pediatric primary care center between July 1, 2013, and February 1, 2019. The outcome was evidence of social-emotional problems, defined by an Ages and Stages: Social Emotional Questionnaire (ASQ:SE) score above the established cutoff. The predictor was caregiver-reported frequency of shared reading (most = 5-7 days per week, some = 2-4 days per week, rarely = 0-1 days per week) at a previous visit. Generalized linear models with generalized estimating equations were used to assess the association between the longitudinal outcome and predictor, adjusting for child demographics and needs reported on routine social history questionnaires. RESULTS Analyses included 5693 children who completed at least 1 ASQ:SE (total of 7302 assessments) and had shared reading frequency documented before each ASQ:SE assessment. Children were predominantly Black (75%) and publicly insured (80%). Sixteen percent of ASQ:SE scores were suggestive of social-emotional concerns; 6% of caregivers reported sharing reading rarely. Children with rare shared reading had a higher risk of an ASQ:SE above cutoff compared with those with shared reading on most days (adjusted risk ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-1.92). CONCLUSIONS Less-frequent caregiver-reported shared reading was associated with higher risk of social-emotional problems in young children presenting for primary care. This highlights potential relational and social-emotional benefits of shared reading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith J Martin
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Andrew F Beck
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Yingying Xu
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Gregory A Szumlas
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - John S Hutton
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Clare C Crosh
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Kristen A Copeland
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Inequities in Children's Reading Skills: The Role of Home Reading and Preschool Attendance. Acad Pediatr 2021; 21:1046-1054. [PMID: 33933683 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2021.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds have poorer learning outcomes. These inequities are a significant public health issue, tracking forward to adverse health outcomes in adulthood. We examined the potential to reduce socioeconomic gaps in children's reading skills through increasing home reading and preschool attendance among disadvantaged children. METHODS We drew on data from the nationally representative birth cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (N = 5107) to examine the impact of socioeconomic disadvantage (0-1 year) on children's reading skills (8-9 years). An interventional effects approach was applied to estimate the extent to which improving the levels of home reading (2-5 years) and preschool attendance (4-5 years) of socioeconomically disadvantaged children to be commensurate with their advantaged peers, could potentially reduce socioeconomic gaps in children's reading skills. RESULTS Socioeconomically disadvantaged children had a higher risk of poor reading outcomes compared to more advantaged peers: absolute risk difference = 20.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.0%-24.2%). Results suggest that improving disadvantaged children's home reading and preschool attendance to the level of their advantaged peers could eliminate 6.5% and 2.1% of socioeconomic gaps in reading skills, respectively. However, large socioeconomic gaps would remain, with disadvantaged children maintaining an 18.3% (95% CI: 14.0%-22.7%) higher risk of poor reading outcomes in absolute terms. CONCLUSION There are clear socioeconomic disparities in children's reading skills by late childhood. Findings suggest that interventions that improve home reading and preschool attendance may contribute to reducing these inequities, but alone are unlikely to be sufficient to close the equity gap.
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Szumlas GA, Petronio P, Mitchell MJ, Johnson AJ, Henry TR, DeWitt TG. A Combined Reach Out and Read and Imagination Library Program on Kindergarten Readiness. Pediatrics 2021; 147:peds.2020-027581. [PMID: 34031233 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-027581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sharing books with preschoolers is known to improve kindergarten readiness. Both Reach Out and Read (ROR) and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL) have shown positive effects on book sharing at home. We developed a novel combined ROR/DPIL program and examined the effect on kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA) scores. METHODS At urban ROR primary care sites, patients <5 years living in the city school district were enrolled from July 2015 through January 2019 in the ROR/DPIL program when seen for a clinic visit. The literacy subtest of the KRA was examined for participants entering kindergarten in the fall of 2016, 2017, and 2018. The "on-track" rate of participants was compared with nonparticipant groups. RESULTS A total of 797 kindergarten-aged ROR/DPIL participants were matched to Ohio KRA scores for 2016, 2017, and 2018 school years. The percentages of students "on-track" on KRA literacy subtests increased significantly by cohort (2016, 42.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 34.9%-50.9%] versus 2017, 50.9% [95% CI: 44.9%-56.9%] versus 2018, 58.3% [95% CI: 53.3%-63.3%], P = .004). ROR/DPIL participants were compared with a proportionate stratified random sample of 1580 non-ROR/DPIL peers. On-track in literacy did not significantly differ between groups (2016 [P = .262], 2017 [P = .653], 2018 [P = .656]), nor did they differ after restricting analysis to economically disadvantaged children (2016 [P = .191], 2017 [P = .721], 2018 [P = .191]). CONCLUSIONS With these results, we suggest that a program combining literacy anticipatory guidance at clinic visits and more books in the home can potentially improve kindergarten readiness. Pediatric health care providers can play an important role in promoting kindergarten readiness through literacy promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Szumlas
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and .,College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Peter Petronio
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - Monica J Mitchell
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and.,College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Alisha J Johnson
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - Tiana R Henry
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - Thomas G DeWitt
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and.,College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Jain VG, Kessler C, Lacina L, Szumlas GA, Crosh C, Hutton JS, Needlman R, Dewitt TG. Encouraging Parental Reading for High-Risk Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Infants. J Pediatr 2021; 232:95-102. [PMID: 33453203 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether a citywide structured book-sharing program (NICU Bookworms) designed to promote reading to infants while admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) would increase parental reading behaviors (≥3-4 days/week) in the NICU and after discharge home, including high-risk parents who do not themselves enjoy reading. STUDY DESIGN The NICU Bookworms program comprised staff training, parent education, and building a literacy-rich environment. In this quasi-experimental intervention study, parents of medically high-risk NICU graduates <6 months of age were administered a questionnaire at their first NICU follow-up clinic visit. The survey incorporated questions from the StimQ-I READ subscale to assess home reading environment and shared reading practices. RESULTS A total of 317 infants were enrolled, 187 in an unexposed comparison group and 130 in the intervention group. Parents exposed to Bookworms were significantly more likely to read ≥3-4 days per week while in the NICU (34.5% vs 51.5%; P = .002; aOR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2-4.0), but reading at home did not differ (67.9% vs 73.1%; P = .28; aOR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.5-1.8). However, among parents who did not themselves enjoy reading, frequency was significantly higher both in the NICU (18.4% vs 46.1%; P = .009; aOR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.2-21.5) and at home (36.9% vs 70%; P = .003; aOR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.1-12.9). A qualitative thematic analysis found that Bookworms decreased parental stress, enhanced bonding, and supported positive parent-infant interactions. CONCLUSIONS A book-sharing intervention in the NICU increased parent-reported reading aloud during hospitalization and among parents disinclined to read for pleasure, both in the NICU and following discharge. This change may have been mediated by enhancement of parent-infant interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viral G Jain
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Neonatology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH; Division of Neonatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
| | - Christy Kessler
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Neonatology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Linda Lacina
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Neonatology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Greg A Szumlas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH; Division of General Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Clare Crosh
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH; Division of General Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - John S Hutton
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH; Reading & Literacy Discovery Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH; Division of General Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Robert Needlman
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Thomas G Dewitt
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH; Reading & Literacy Discovery Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH; Division of General Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
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