Objective: Examine the intellectual and academic functioning in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, children with CKD (n = 30) were compared to matched controls (n = 41) on measures of intelligence, achievement, and rates of learning disabilities (LD) variously defined.
Results: Children with CKD were at higher risk for grade retention (p < .001) and absenteeism (p < .01), and evidenced mild impairments on measures of intelligence (p < .001), math (p < .01), reading (p < .05), and satisfied criteria for a low achievement definition of LD (p < .01) more frequently than control group participants. Renal function was a significant predictor (p < .02) of intellectual and academic scores in the CKD group.
Conclusions: Educational and psychosocial supports are critical for children with CKD, and it may be important to monitor their cognitive functioning and academic progress over time.