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Original ArticleOpen Access
Psychosocial Problems in Children with Thalassemia and Their Siblings
Louthrenoo O 
,
Thanarattanakom P ,
Sittipreechacham S ,
Sanguansermsri T
,
Thanarattanakom P ,
Sittipreechacham S ,
Sanguansermsri T Beta-thalassemia is a chronic illness causing serious symptoms to children and a burden
to families. The purpose of this study was to evaluate psychosocial problems in children with thalas-
semia and their siblings by using a semi-structured interview and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist
(PSC). The study sample included 82 children with thalassemia, 20 siblings, and 50 control children
without a chronic illness. With children and families demographically controlled, psychosocial pro-
blems were significantly more common in children with thalassemia than in those without chronic
illness, 28.05 per cent
vs
4 per cent (p=.oOl), but there was no difference between siblings and the
controls,
5
per cent
vs
4 per cent (p=0.64). The mean PSC score in children with thalassemia was
higher than that in the sibling and control group (18.34
vs
10.95 and 10.28, respectively; p
to families. The purpose of this study was to evaluate psychosocial problems in children with thalas-
semia and their siblings by using a semi-structured interview and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist
(PSC). The study sample included 82 children with thalassemia, 20 siblings, and 50 control children
without a chronic illness. With children and families demographically controlled, psychosocial pro-
blems were significantly more common in children with thalassemia than in those without chronic
illness, 28.05 per cent
vs
4 per cent (p=.oOl), but there was no difference between siblings and the
controls,
5
per cent
vs
4 per cent (p=0.64). The mean PSC score in children with thalassemia was
higher than that in the sibling and control group (18.34
vs
10.95 and 10.28, respectively; p
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