Changes in Academic Standardized Testing After Pediatric Intensive Care
By
Claire C. Foster
Melanie Boyd
Erin F. Carlton
Jill Fussell
Chayla R. Slaton
Sarah McKenzie
Katherine Irby
Peter M. Mourani
Clare C. Brown
Aline B. Maddux
April 30, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Impact of Pediatric Intensive Care on Academic Standardized Test Performance
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Pediatric critical illness and injury Key Mechanisms Impact on cognitive functioning and academic performance Target Population Children aged 7 to 17 years admitted to PICU Care Setting Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at a quaternary children's hospital
Key Highlights
Mortality rates of critically ill children are below 2% PICU admission is associated with decreased cognitive functioning Study uses statewide educational data for pre- and post-illness assessments Focus on academic performance in mathematics and reading Propensity score matching used for control comparisons Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Assess cognitive health through standardized academic performance metrics Management
Monitor academic achievement post-PICU admission Monitoring & Follow-up
Evaluate changes in standardized test scores before and after PICU admission Risks
Increased likelihood of lower academic performance in PICU patients Patient & Prescribing Data
Children aged 7 to 17 years with PICU admissions
Consider educational accommodations for affected children
Clinical Best Practices
Implement standardized testing as a measure of cognitive recovery Utilize educational data for longitudinal assessment of outcomes Incorporate multidisciplinary approaches to support cognitive health References
