Psychosocial and academic impact of blood transfusion-dependent diseases on children

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Published Mar 10, 2026
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v104i01.6283
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Vol. 104 No. 01 (2026): Tunis Med Jan 2026

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Ines Maaloul
Department of Pediatrics, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Faculty of medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax. Tunisia
Majida Nakti
Department of Pediatrics, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Faculty of medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax. Tunisia
Taicir Rekik
Regional blood transfusion center of Sfax, Faculty of medicine, University of Sfax. Tunisia
Ilhem Ben Fraj
Pediatric Immuno-hematology unit, bonemarrow transplantation center Tunis, Tunisia
Monia Ouderni
Pediatric Immuno-hematology unit, bonemarrow transplantation center Tunis, Tunisia
Imen Chabchoub
Department of Pediatrics, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Faculty of medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax. Tunisia
Hajer Aloulou
Department of Pediatrics, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Faculty of medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax. Tunisia
Thouraya Kamoun
Department of Pediatrics, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Faculty of medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax. Tunisia

Abstract

Introduction: Children with transfusion dependant diseases are confronted with multiple physical, psychosocial and cognitive obstacles, which touches significantly on their well-being and quality of life.


Aim:to assess the quality of life of children with transfusion-dependent diseases using the PedsQL 4.0 scale.


Method: This was a descriptive and a cross-sectional study conducted on children with chronic regular transfusion therapy in the paediatric department A of Hedi Chaker Hospital in Sfax, Tunisia between December 2024 and Mai 2025. We collected demographic informations about the children and their families and the clinical characteristics of the disease. The quality of life was assessed using the PedsQL 4.0 Generic score scales for children aged over 5 years old.


Results: Fifteen children requiring chronic transfusion therapy were included. Eleven families belonged to a low socio-economic class. The mean score of the children’s quality of life was 58.3%. The quality-of-life dimension with the highest score was the social function with a mean score of 67% while the dimension with the lowest score was the physical function with a mean score of 50.6%.


Conclusion: Transfusion dependant diseases have major negative impact on the daily lives of affected patients. Understanding the challenges faced by these children and their families is important to guide management decisions aimed not only at prolonging life, but also at improving their overall quality of life.

Keywords:

transfusion dependent diseases, child, quality of life, Ped sQL

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