Analysis of intelligence quotient in patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia

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). Conclusion: The IQ of TM patients does not differ significantly from the normal population.