[Evaluation of the Language-related Domain of the Pediatric Developmental Screening Instrument for Preschool Health Examinations (SOPESS): Results from the Prospective Child Health Survey ikidS]. / Evaluation der Sprachaufgaben des sozialpädiatrischen Entwicklungsscreenings für Schuleingangsuntersuchungen (SOPESS): Ergebnisse der prospektiven Kindergesundheitsstudie ikidS.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Developmental delays at school enrollment can affect early educational achievement. Thus, diagnosis and treatment prior to school entry are important. In Germany, SOPESS - a pediatric developmental screening instrument for preschool health examinations (PHE) - was introduced in several federal states. We investigated the relationships between the results of the language-related domain of the SOPESS and later academic language competencies at the end of first grade. PROCEDURES: Data of the population-based cohort study ikidS (Rhineland Palatinate; Germany) and the PHE provided by public health authorities were linked at individual level. The relationship between the SOPESS-language risk score (range: 0 to 6, higher values indicate more developmental delay) and class teacher-based ratings of academic language competencies (range: -4 to+4, higher values indicate better competencies) was investigated with linear regression models and adjusted for several socio-economic and medical language predictors (e. g. age at school entry, gender, parental education, migration background, hearing disorder). The additional benefits of the SOPESS-language risk score was analyzed using analysis of variance. RESULTS: In total, 1357 children (48% girls, age at PHE 4.9-7.2 years) were included. A clear negative relationship between the SOPESS-language risk score and competencies in spoken and written language was found. Mean academic language competencies decreased with increasing SOPESS-language risk level from 0.8 (SD=1.7) at a risk score of 0 to-3.2 (SD=0.9) at a risk score of 6. The relationship persisted after adjusting for other language predictors. Analysis of variance showed significant benefits of the SOPESS-language risk score, even when further language predictors were considered. CONCLUSIONS: There was a clear relationship between results of the SOPESS-language screening and later academic language competencies. Hence, the language-related domain of the SOPESS may be useful for further recommendations of tailored special educational and medical support services, especially if additional socio-economic and medical factors are considered.

Mental health problems and school performance in first graders: results of the prospective cohort study ikidS.

We aimed to estimate unbiased effects of mental health problems (MHPs) on school performance in first graders, with an emphasis on rigorous adjustment for potential confounders. A population-based prospective cohort study was performed in the area of Mainz-Bingen (Germany). In 2015, all preschoolers were approached, and the presence and type of MHP (externalising/internalising) and other physical chronic health conditions were identified by the preschool health examination and study-specific questionnaires. At the end of the first grade, school performance (reading, writing, numeracy, and science) was assessed by the class teacher and rated on a four-item scale ranging from - 8 to + 8. Of 3683 children approached, 2003 (54%) were enrolled. School performance was available for 1462 children (51% boys, mean age 7.3 years). Of these, 41% had signs of at least one MHP. Compared to children without indications of mental and physical chronic health conditions, children with MHPs had lower school performance scores [adjusted mean difference - 0.98, 95% CI (- 1.35; - 0.61); P < 0.001]. Regarding the type of MHP, externalising MHPs were associated with poor school performance [adjusted mean difference - 1.44, 95% CI (- 1.83; - 1.05); P < 0.001], while internalising MHPs were not. Children with hyperactivity inattention problems were most affected [adjusted mean difference - 1.96, 95% CI (- 2.36; - 1.56); P < 0.001]. Externalising MHPs and in particular hyperactivity inattention problems may already affect school performance in early primary school. Identification of children with externalising MHPs prior to school entry may help to prevent impaired academic achievement in affected children.

Recommendation for ophthalmic care in German preschool health examination and its adherence: Results of the prospective cohort study ikidS.

BACKGROUND: Each child in Germany undergoes a preschool health examination including vision screening and recommendations for further ophthalmic care. This study investigated the frequency of and adherence to these recommendations. METHODS: A population-based prospective cohort study was performed in the area of Mainz-Bingen (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany). All preschoolers were examined at the statutory preschool health examination, which includes vision testing (Rodenstock vision screener) with available correction in the last preschool year. Based on the results, recommendations for further ophthalmic care were given to the parents. Six weeks prior to school entry, parents were surveyed concerning ophthalmic health care visits, diagnoses, and treatments. Ophthalmic care recommendation frequency and its adherence were investigated using logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: 1226 children were included in this study, and 109 children received a recommendation for ophthalmic care based on the preschool health examination. At the follow-up, 84% of children who had received a recommendation had visited an ophthalmologist within the preceding year compared to 47% of children who had not received a recommendation. The recommendation for ophthalmic care was clearly associated with a higher number of ophthalmological visits (odds ratio = 7.63; 95% confidence interval: 3.96-14.7). In a subgroup analysis, adherence to a recommendation was lower in children with migrant background (OR = 2.26; 95%-CI: 0.64-7.90, compared to: OR = 11.6; 95%-CI: 4.95-27.4) and in those with low socio-economic status. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to preschool recommendations for ophthalmic care is high in German preschoolers. However, a migrant background and low socio-economic status may reduce this adherence.

Chronic health conditions and school performance in first graders: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Children with chronic health conditions may perform poorer at school. Associations may be confounded by numerous social factors. We aimed to estimate the effects of a chronic health condition on overall school performance in first graders with an emphasis on rigorous adjustment for potential confounders. METHODS: A population-based cohort study was performed in the area of Mainz-Bingen (Germany). In 2015 all preschoolers were approached and the presence of a chronic health condition was assessed by parental questionnaires and preschool health examination data. The identification of a chronic health condition was based on special health care needs and presence of a doctor's diagnosis out of 24 school-relevant diseases. At the end of the first school year, overall school performance was assessed by teachers and rated on a 5-item scale ranging from -10 to +10. RESULTS: Of 3683 children approached, 2003 were enrolled. Overall school performance was available for 1462 children (51% boys). Of these, 52% suffered from a chronic health condition. Compared to children without a chronic health condition, children with special health care needs (15%) performed worse at school (adjusted mean difference: -0.95, 95% CI: [-1.55; -0.35], P = 0.002). Children with a doctor's diagnosis but without special health care needs (37%) did not perform worse at school. The effect was further analysed considering the extent of special health care needed. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic health conditions affect overall school performance early in primary school. To identify academically at-risk children, a chronic health condition identification based on special health care needs may be used.