Psychopathology in children from families with blood disorders: a cross national study

Background: This study examines the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in affected and in unaffected siblings from families with haemophilia or β-thalassaemia. Method: Based on data derived from a cross-sectional and multi-centre study into the resilience of 115 families with blood disorders. Sociodemographic and developmental data were collected from the parent using a standardised and semi-structured interview, and medical data were elicited from the attending clinician. The children's psychopathology was assessed with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS). Results: Children with β-thalassaemia were twice as likely to receive a diagnosis of psychiatric disorder and more likely to show a higher degree of impairment of general functioning than haemophilic boys or unaffected children from families with blood disorders. Clinical severity of haemophilia or β-thalassaemia was not associated with significant differences in prevalence of child psychiatric disorders or impairment. Mothers' evaluation of their relationship with their child as ‘less than easy’ predicted psychopathology. Conclusions: The high prevalence of psychopathology in children with β-thalassaemia reported in this study suggests that specific blood disorders have differential impact on affected children. This difference may be related to medical therapy advances in haemophilia so that haemophilic boys can lead an almost normal life.