Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatric and Child Health

Abstract Ref Number = APCP792

Poster Presentation

ASSESSMENT OF COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH THALASSEMIA IN DORIS SYLVANUS PUBLIC HOSPITAL, PALANGKARAYA, INDONESIA

Mutiara Dara Ratih,Ni Made Yuliari,Prabandari Kusumaningtyas,Donna Novina Kahanjak,Helena Jelita General Practitioner of Kalawa Atei Psychiatric Hospital Bukit Rawi Indonesia Pediatric Department, Doris Sylvanus Public Hospital, Palangkaraya, Indonesia Physiology Department, Medicine Faculty of Palangkaraya University, Indonesia Oral and Dental Department, Medicine Faculty of Palangkaraya University, Indonesia

Background : Impairment of cognitive function in Children with Thalassemia was caused by multiple factors. Little is known about cognitive function in thalassemia children in Indonesia. Early recognition is important to help them to get their normal potential intellectual function. We aimed to assess cognitive function of thalassemia children and analyze factors affecting them Material : This cross sectional study was conducted at Doris Sylvanus Public Hospital from March to April 2018. We included 41 thalassemia children, aged 3 to 16 years. All participants receiving blood transfusion and meeting inclusion criteria underwent cognitive assessment using The Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) for children and scores were categorized into either normal or low cognitive function using age-specific cut-offs. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results : The mean age was 8.44±3.37 years. Male and female were almost equal. The mean cognitive function score using modified MMSE was 28.9±6.37. Subjects at 3-5 years old group had the highest percentage of low cognitive function, 85.71%. 53.66% subjects had normal cognitive function. At bivariate analysis, age of subjects, residency area, economic status, maternal and children education were significantly different with cognitive function (P=0.007, 0.021, 0.036, 0.047 and 0.006, respectively). But, cognitive function was not associated with gender, paternal education, age at diagnosis, Hb level, iron chelation and frequency of blood transfusions (P > 0.05). Under multivariate logistic regression analaysis, children aged <7 years (OR: 31.53; CI 95%: 2.10-472.78), low-educated mother (OR: 23.13; CI 95%: 1.65-324.24), and rural dwellers (OR, 18.13; CI 95%: 1.46-225.99) were more likely to have low cognitive function. Conclusions : We concluded that younger age, low-educated mother, and rural dwellers were more likely to have low cognitive function in thalassemia children. Children with impaired cognitive function need further cognitive function assessment using different tool to detect subtle differences in cognition and serial assessment may be more useful.

Keywords: Thalassemia Cognitive Function Children Modified MMSE