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Cognitive Function in Children With β-Thalassemia Major

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Abstract

Objectives

To assess intelligence Quotient (IQ) in transfusion dependent β-thalassemia major patients using Malin Intelligence Scale for Indian Children (MISIC) and to correlate verbal IQ (VIQ), performance IQ (PIQ) and full scale IQ (FSIQ) with serum ferritin levels and annual blood transfusion requirements.

Methods

Cross-sectional study design, enrolling 100 patients of transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia aged 6 years to 15 years 11 months. IQ was assessed using MISIC.

Results

Mean (SD) full scale IQ was 95.96 (7.23). IQ was ‘average’ in most of the patients. There was a significant negative correlation of serum ferritin levels with object assembly (r=−0.215, P=0.034) component of PIQ; annual blood requirement with general comprehension component of VIQ (r=−0.275, P=0.006) and age at diagnosis with PIQ (r=−0.273, P=0.006). There was a significant linear correlation of PIQ (r=0.280, P=0.005) and FSIQ (r=0.274, P=0.006) with pre-transfusion hemoglobin.

Conclusion

IQ correlates with age at diagnosis and average annual pre-transfusion hemoglobin. This highlights the importance of early diagnosis and maintenance of satisfactory hemoglobin levels.

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Acknowledgements

Dr Jugesh Chhatwal and (late) Dr. Atul Goel for contribution to the study design, and Dr. Anjali Bansal for her inputs in data gathering.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pediatrics, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India

    Arun K. Kurian, Monika Sharma & P. V. Varughese

  2. Departments of Psychology, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India

    Nidhi Aggarwal

Authors
  1. Arun K. Kurian
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  2. Monika Sharma
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  3. P. V. Varughese
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  4. Nidhi Aggarwal
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arun K. Kurian.

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Contributors

AKK: contributed to the literature search, study design, data collection, analysis and prepared the first draft; PVV, NA: contributed to the literature search, study design, data collection and analysis as well as reviewed the paper; MS: contributed to the literature search, study design, data collection and analysis as well as reviewed, edited the first draft and finalized the paper. All authors approved the final version of manuscript, and are accountable for all aspects related to the study.

Funding

None

Competing interests

None stated.

Note

Additional material related to this study is available with the online version at www.indianpediatrics.net

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Kurian, A.K., Sharma, M., Varughese, P.V. et al. Cognitive Function in Children With β-Thalassemia Major. Indian Pediatr 60, 294–297 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-023-2862-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-023-2862-1

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