Evaluation of cognition in children with beta-thalassemia major and healthy counterparts in terms of abstract thinking and visual organization

Beta-thalassemia major، impairs body and central nervous system functions. Decline in Perceptual and cognitive abilities in this disease، especially in children، and eventual reduced quality of life، is one of the possible complications of this disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cognitive perception of two abilities to think abstractly and visual organization in children with beta-thalassemia major and healthy counterparts. This cross-sectional study was conducted in year 1391، using convenient sampling in cities of Zahedan and Shiraz. After matching children in terms of age، gender and city of residence، 40 children with beta-thalassemia major and 40 matched healthy children aged 6-12 years were compared، using the independent t-test and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children revision (WISC-R) in terms of abstract thinking and visual organization. There was a statistically significant difference in evaluation of abstract thinking between the average score of sick children 9. 81 ± 1. 64 and the average score of healthy counterparts 10. 82 ± 1. 05 (P<0. 01). Also in assessment of visual organization، the average score of sick children 10. 23 ± 1. 09 and the average score of healthy counterparts 10. 72 ± 0. 66 were significantly different (P<0. 01). The results show the potential impact of the disease on children›s cognitive levels and suggest that children with beta-thalassemia major need more attention in the field of education to promote their understanding.