DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i04.036

Pages: 1291-1296

A descriptive observational study of cross sectional design was undertaken for children suffering from thalassemia major and nephrotic syndrome to evaluate the psychopathology amongst them. Each group comprising 30 randomly selected cases within the age range of 5-14 years. Children with illnesses of less than 12 months duration and having mental retardation or any other associated medical or surgical illness were excluded. CPMS (Childhood Psychopathology Measurement Schedule) were used to measure the behavioral profile of the children. There after each case is evaluated thoroughly to supplement the diagnosis according to ICD – 10 Classification. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel datasheet and analysed with SPSS-17.0. Life-style changes were seen in 73% of thalassemia cases and 36% of nephrotic syndrome patients. Parents of thalassemia patients felt more stress (83%) than those of nephrotic syndrome (53%). The study also revealed, 60% of thalassemics were poor academic achiever compared to 30% amongst nephrotics. Behavioral changes were seen in 73.3% of thalassemics compared to 43.3% of nephrotic syndrome patients. The common observed behavioral changes were conduct disorder, mixed disorder of conduct and emotion (like depression), anxiety disorder and other childhood emotional disorder. No association was found between sociodemographic variables and psychiatric morbidities except males were affected more frequently in both the study population. At the end, this study emphasizes the importance of integrating a multidimensional psychosocial battery in the regular follow up and clinical assessment of children with chronic illness like thalassaemia major and nephrotic syndrome.