ABSTRACT
Thalassemia major is a hereditary anemia that becomes blood transfusion dependent. Iron overload consequence leads to multiple organ dysfunction and endocrinopathy. So deferoxamine [desferal] is used for chelation therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth rate of these patients and its correlation with endocrine complications and determine the role of secondary iron overload in these situations. This cross-sectional study was performed for a year [2010] on 280 patients [aged 3.5- 56 years] who received blood transfusion and chelation therapy at Amirkola Thalassemia Center. After basic evaluations, determination of height standard deviation, they were divided by serum ferritin level into two groups [good and poorly controlled]. They were evaluated for hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, hypoparathyroidism and hypogonadism. Next, data were analyzed. A p <0.05 was considered significant. From 280 patients with mean age of 19.6 +/- 8.5 years, 161 [57.5%] cases were female, short stature [<-2 SDS] was present in 90 cases [32.1%]. Their mean height was 151.4 +/- 17.3 cm. 162 cases [57.9%] had endocrinopathy. There was a relationship between short stature and hypoparathyroidism [p= 0.009] and hypogonadism [p= 0.005] and also diabetes mellitus [p= 0.003]; but no relationship was found between short stature and hypothyroidism [p=1.000] and serum ferritin level [p=0.091]. According to higher prevalence of hypoparathyroidism, hypogonadism and diabetes mellitus in short statured thalassemic patients, screening should be done for such disorders with more sensitivity in these patients