Growth Failure in β-Thalassemia major Patients Undergoing Repeated Transfusions

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effects of iron overload on Height, Body Mass Index (BMI), Hemoglobin and Serum Ferritin levels in beta thalassemia major patients undergoing regular blood transfusion. Study Design: Case control study. Place and Duration of Study: It was carried out at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad in collaboration with Jamila Sultana Foundation Rawalpindi, Thalassemia House Rawalpindi and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad from 5 January 2010 to 5 December 2014. Materials and Methods: Total 300 individuals were included in the study out of which 200 were Beta thalassemia major patients and 100 were controlled matched for age and gender with the thalassemic group.They were further divided into 4 groups of <13 years female, ≥13 years female, <13 years male and ≥13 years male (each having 50 thalassemic and 25 control). Height, BMI, Hemoglobin and serum Ferritin levels were determined. Non parametric (Spearman) co-relation co efficient was used to find the correlation between BMI and Ferritin and Hb levels. Data was analyzed through Graph Pad Prism 5.01. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: All groups had reduced Height, BMI, Hb and high Ferritin levels as compared to the control groups.Significantly positive (P<0.001) correlation of BMI with Hemoglobin and serum Ferritin levels were observed in thalassemic females of ≥13. While <13 years thalassemic males had significant (P<0.01) negative correlation of BMI with Hemoglobin. Conclusion: Our study revealed that beta thalassemic patients had reduced height and BMI, associated with high levels of serum ferritin and low hemoglobin.

Keywords

• body mass index, ferritin, height, hemoglobin, thalassemia major.