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286411

Cognitive Function Assessment in Paediatric Patients with Beta-Thalassemia Major

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Last updated: 03 Jan 2025

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Abstract

Background: Multiple risk factors in Beta-thalassemia major (βTM) children contribute to the impairment of their neurocognitive function. Multiple studies used different intelligence quotient (IQ) scores to assess the neurocognitive function in thalassaemic children, however, results were variable. Objective: This study aimed to assess the cognitive functions of thalassemic children and to compare them to a well-matched group of healthy controls using the Fourth Edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC- IV). Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited two groups; Group I included 50 children diagnosed with βTM on regular blood transfusions. Group II included 50 healthy control children with no underlying chronic illness, matching the patients' age, sex, education, parent's education, school performance, and socioeconomic level. A detailed history was taken, and clinical examination was performed; also, laboratory investigations including full blood picture and serum ferritin were done. Neurocognitive functions were assessed using WISC- IV. Results: βTM children had significantly lower IQ scores on cognitive function assessment than healthy children, including the mean of the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient, as well as the mean scores of the Verbal Comprehension Index, the Processing Speed Index, the Perceptual Reasoning Index, and the Working Memory Index (P<0.01). There was no correlation between IQ scores and the age at the onset of disease, transfusion frequency per year, serum ferritin, onset and duration of chelation, type of chelation, parents' education, and socioeconomic status. However, IQ scores were positively correlated with pretransfusion Hb, school performance, education, and anthropometric measurements. Conclusion: We concluded that βTM children have significantly lower IQ scores than healthy children, and this requires attention for neuropsychological assessment of thalassemic children early in life to provide adequate support.  

DOI

10.21608/ejhm.2023.286411

Keywords

β-Thalassemia, Cognitive Function, Intelligence Quotient, Fourth Edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, WISC- IV

Authors

First Name

Samar M.

Last Name

Elbahy

MiddleName

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Affiliation

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Email

samar.elbahy@fmed.bu.edu.eg

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Orcid

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First Name

Sanaa H.

Last Name

Ayad

MiddleName

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Affiliation

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Email

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Orcid

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First Name

Rashad A.

Last Name

Elsayed

MiddleName

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Affiliation

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Email

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City

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Orcid

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First Name

Elham

Last Name

Nawar

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

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Orcid

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Volume

90

Article Issue

2

Related Issue

39562

Issue Date

2023-01-01

Receive Date

2023-02-19

Publish Date

2023-01-01

Page Start

2,634

Page End

2,642

Print ISSN

1687-2002

Online ISSN

2090-7125

Link

https://ejhm.journals.ekb.eg/article_286411.html

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https://ejhm.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=286411

Order

98

Type

Original Article

Type Code

606

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine

Publication Link

https://ejhm.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Cognitive Function Assessment in Paediatric Patients with Beta-Thalassemia Major

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Article

Created At

24 Dec 2024