Study the profile of behavior and intelligence of children with anemia and their possible association to the hematological parameters.

Fifty-eight children (42 anemic; 16 controls), matched by age, sex, and culture with the patients, were subjected to both behavioral and IQ testing using Revised Behavior Problem Checklist (RBPCL) and Wechsler intelligence scale for children-revised and hematological laboratory evaluation

After controlling for age, sex and culture, the mean IQ was lower in the iron deficiency group than both thalassemic and control groups (P<.000). The mean scores of conduct disorder, socialized aggression, and anxiety withdrawal of RBPCL were higher in thalassemic group while the mean scores of motor excess and attention problems score were higher in the iron deficiency group. Regression analysis showed that hemoglobin concentration in gram/dl was the predictor of IQ in both anemic group and for attention problems in iron deficiency group while the mean corpuscular volume was the predictor of motor excess score in iron deficiency group. Other associations were not statistically significant.

Behavior problems and low intelligence were significantly high among anemic children. Their association with the hematological parameters varies according to the type of behavior and the type of anemia. These results cannot exclude the role of other factors in shaping the profile of behavior and IQ.