title: Analysis of intelligence quotient in patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia.
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 Cooley's 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 group's score (p<=0.079). A correlation existed between the thalassemia patients' IQ and their level of education (p<0.049).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IQ of TM patients does not differ significantly from the normal population.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Research Center, Pediatric Department, Namazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. karimim@sums.ac.ir
authors.forename: Mehran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.forename: Hooman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yarmohammadi
authors.forename: Maria Domenica
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cappellini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology