European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background- Thalassaemia is a chronic condition that necessitates long-term treatment in a significant proportion of individuals. Despite recent advancements in medical care, there is a lack of effort to enhance the psychological well-being of these individuals. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive description of the psychological morbidity experienced by individuals diagnosed with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia. Methods- The current study was undertaken as an observational, cross-sectional study within the Pediatrics department of a tertiary care teaching institution situated in central India. The study was conducted over a period of one year. The study recruited participants who met the following criteria: they were children aged 2 to 18 years, diagnosed with transfusion-dependent β thalassemia major, and receiving regular blood transfusions at the department. Total 95 children were included in the study.  Results- A total of 95 children (47 boys and 48 girls) with transfusion-dependent thalassemia with a mean age of 8.83 ± 2.70 years were included in this study. 58.69% of the population were belonging to nuclear families. Patients came from all the socio-economic strata of society but the lower class was dominant. the prevalence of abnormal scores in emotional, conduct, and hyperactivity symptoms among children diagnosed with TDBT. Specifically, 18% of children exhibited abnormal emotional symptom scores, 17% displayed abnormal conduct symptom scores, and 9% shown abnormal hyperactivity symptom scores. Conclusion- The findings of our study indicate that children diagnosed with transfusion-dependent thalassemia major experience a significant burden. Additionally, these children experienced a range of psycho-social disorders. As a result of their persistent medical condition, they exhibit a mild decline in overall functioning. The significance of providing comprehensive care and suitable psychological intervention for children with thalassemia is underscored by our study.