Children with β thalassemia major have substantial psychosocial maladjustment

Article Outline

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This issue of The Journal features two studies in which investigators have addressed some of the “non-medical” morbidity affecting children with chronic hematologic disorders and their families. In one, Klaassen et al describe the development and validation of a simple quality of life instrument specifically designed for use with children with acute and chronic ITP. There have been a number of new interventions described for these disorders, and the use of this instrument is another way in which studies can demonstrate one dimension of effectiveness of these. In the other, Saini et al, using a cross-sectional case-control validated questionnaire study design, show substantial psychosocial maladjustment and comparatively poor school performance in children with β thalassemia major. Findings are similar to those in children with other chronic conditions requiring continuous medical interventions.

The conclusions of these studies are clear. Screening and therapy for psychosocial morbidities should be an active and integral part of medical management for children with chronic disorders such as these. We now have increasingly sophisticated methods for undertaking this screening.