Analysis of intelligence quotient in patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia

Authors

• Mehran Karimi, Hematology Research Center, Pediatric Department, Namazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Tel. +98 (711) 626-5024. Fax. +98 (711) 235-9317. E-mail address: karimim{at}sums.ac.ir
• Hooman Yarmohammadi, Department of Surgery, Namazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
• Maria Domenica Cappellini, Hereditary Anemia Center, Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS, Milan, Italy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the intelligence quotient (IQ) of patients with thalassemia major (TM) to that of normal children. METHODS: We conducted the study in April and May 2002 on 294 homozygote beta-thalassemia patients, (157 male and 137 female, mean age of 13.2 years; range, 9-18 years). These 294 patients were randomly selected from the 984 TM patients who routinely refer to Shiraz Cooley9s Medical Center in Dastgheyb Hospital, Iran for blood transfusion. Another 294 subjects age and gender matched control group were studied. Intelligence quotients were computed using the Ravin test. RESULTS: The mean IQ score ± standard deviation (SD) in the thalassemia group was 109.83 ± 15.94. This score revealed no statistically significant difference with the control group9s score (p<=0.079). A correlation existed between the thalassemia patients9 IQ and their level of education (p<0.049). CONCLUSION: The IQ of TM patients does not differ significantly from the normal population.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

982

Last Page

985

Recommended Citation

Karimi, Mehran; Yarmohammadi, Hooman; and Cappellini, Maria Domenica (2006) "Analysis of intelligence quotient in patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 27: Iss. 7, Article 8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.3498