CHILDREN with neurodisability had increased hospital admissions and school absences across primary school, nationwide records show.
Neurodisability Hospital Admissions Outpace Peers
A linked administrative data cohort followed 2,351,589 children born in England between 2003 and 2008, from Reception class at age 4 to 5 years through the end of primary school at age 10 to 11 years. Researchers identified children with hospital recorded neurodisability before starting school and compared outcomes with children without neurodisability.
Among all pupils, 2.2% had neurodisability recorded before school entry. During primary school, these children experienced markedly higher planned and unplanned hospital admissions, reported as rates per 100 person years at risk. Planned admissions occurred at 29.0 per 100 person years for children with neurodisability versus 4.3 per 100 person years for those without neurodisability. Unplanned admissions were also higher at 16.6 per 100 person years at risk, compared with 3.7 per 100 person years among children without neurodisability.
School Absences Were Higher with Neurodisability
School attendance also differed between groups. Children with neurodisability missed 6.5% of total school days, compared with 4.2% among children without neurodisability. Although the abstract does not specify reasons for absence, the parallel rise in admission burden and missed school days points to the practical education impact of ongoing healthcare needs during primary school.
Subgroup Differences Highlight Cerebral Palsy Burden
Across neurodisability subgroups, admission and absence rates were consistently highest among children with cerebral palsy. In contrast, the lowest rates were observed among children with high-risk perinatal conditions. Even with this range, the overall finding persisted, children with neurodisability had higher hospital admissions and higher school absences than their peers across the primary years studied.
Implications for Integrated Support
The authors conclude that a joined-up approach between hospital and school is needed to help children with neurodisability participate in education. For clinicians, the results underscore the value of anticipating school disruption around scheduled care and acute episodes, and supporting families with communication that aligns healthcare plans with educational participation.
Reference: Gimeno L et al. Hospital admissions and school absences of primary school children with and without neurodisability. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2025. doi:10.1111/dmcn.70128.
