Assessment of Cognitive Functions in Children with Cerebral Malaria in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

2 Department of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan Branch, Isfahan, Iran

3 Professor, Department of Psychiatry and clinical Psychology, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Cerebral malaria is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system. This disease is more common in children than adults. Cerebral malaria could cause neurologic injuries and cognitive deficits. The aim of this study was to assess cognitive function in children with cerebral malaria and to compare them with healthy children in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran.Methods: The population of this causal-comparative study was children aged 7 to 12 years in Sistan and Baluchestan province. 30 children with cerebral malaria and 30 healthy children were selected from Razi hospital in Saravan, Imam Ali hospital in Chabahar and centers for children in these two cities. They were assessed through the Color Training Test (CTT), Working memory subscale of Wechsler Intelligence test for Children (WISC-IV), Rey visual memory test, Rey Auditory Memory Test and The executive functions Tower of London Test. The data were analysed using multivariate analysis of variances (MANOVA).Findings: There were significant differences between the two groups in attention (P < 0.001), working memory (P < 0.001), immediate visual memory (P < 0.001), delay visual memory (P < 0.001), immediate auditory memory (P < 0.001), delay auditory memory (P < 0.001) and executive functions (P < 0.01).Conclusion: Findings indicated that cerebral malaria causes deficits in cognitive performance of children with this disease.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 32, Issue 302 - Serial Number 302
July and August 2014
Pages 1546-1556

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History

  • Receive Date: 16 August 2014
  • Revise Date: 01 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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