The Impact of Chronic Chest trouble on Cognitive Functions, Psychosocial Behavior and Academic Achievement among Egyptian Children

Background: Chronic chest troubles are the most common cause of chronic illnesses. They include bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, ciliary dyskinesia and immune deficiency. They can affect the cognitive functions and psychosocial behavior of children. They may also affect the school performance of these children. The aim of the study: is to assess the cognitive functions , psychosocial behavior and school achievement in chronic chest troubles and compare them with healthy children in same age. Methods: This study was executed in the Chest Clinic at Abou El-Reesh Children's Hospital, Cairo University. The Study was carried out on 27 children, their age ranged between 6-15 years (mean age ± SD = 9.78±2.58).They were suffering from chronic non-asthmatic chest trouble (tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, ciliary dyskinesia, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis andimmune deficiency disorders) as proved by full clinical examination, laboratory and radiological investigations. Children with other non-chest chronic diseases were excluded.Twenty seven other children not suffering from any disease and living under the same socioeconomic conditions were taken as controls. WISC-R and PSCL were used to assess the cognitive and psychosocial adjustment among children while the mid-year scores for Mathematics and Arabic language were used to evaluate the academic performance. Results: Our results indicated that chronic chest troubles (nonasthmatic) have negative effects on cognitive abilities, psychosocial behavior and academic achievement of such children. There was no difference between children affected by bronchial asthma and those affected by other chronic chest diseases as regards to the mentioned parameters. Conclusion: Children with chronic chest troubles represent a population at possible high risk for mental and psychosocial maladjustment