RESUMEN
In B thalassemia the synthesis of beta globin chains is decreased .This interferes with the assembly of normal Hb A,. Recently apoptosis has been noted to play a central role in regulation of hemopieosis. Excess iron could generate reactive oxygen species [ROS] that may be involved in turn in lie damage of cellular compartment adding to apoptosis . The aim of this work is to study apoptosis and oxidative stress in B thalassemia major in children and their relationship to the severity of the disease and to the use of chelation . A cross sectional study of 56 patients with B thalassemia major aged 8 M -13 y as well as 10 apparently healthy age and sex- matched control . Beside full history and examination all patients and controls had the following investigations done Hb, serum ferritin, ALT, AST, ALP, FAS, TBARS and DNA damage measurement. Correlation studies showed that fas and TBARS showed significant negative correlation with Hb and significant positive correlation with ferritin . Newly diagnosed patients [First admission] showed significantly less severe DNA damage than recurrent cases . Chelated patients scored significantly better lhan non chelated patients . Patients on chelation showed significant better outcome regarding apoptosis and oxidative stress, therefore we must be ready with early chelation in all B thalassemia cases