Malnutrition and growth abnormalities among Egyptian children with beta-thalassemia major

Abnormal growth is a common feature among patients suffering from beta-thalassemia major. To study the relation between growth abnormalities and nutrient deficiencies, the nutritional status of 63 thalassemic children [2-18 years] were assessed by anthropometry and biochemistry, compared to 63 age and sex matched controls. The results revealed that the mean body mass index was significantly lower among thalassemic children compared to the control, P< 0.05. Nearly one fifth of all thalassemic children were underweight, and one third were stunted. Serum levels of alpha-tocopherol, retinol and zinc, selenium, and copper levels were significantly decreased among thalassemic children compared to the control. older age [10-18] and female sex suffered more from deterioration of nutritional status

Antioxidant micronutrients in children with thalassaemia in Egypt

Repeated blood transfusions in patients with thalassaemia subject them to peroxidative tissue injury by secondary iron overload. To study the relationship between iron overload and antioxidant micronutrient status among children with thalassaemia, we measured serum levels of vitamins A and E, zinc, selenium, and copper in 64 children with beta-thalassaemia major and 63 age- and sex-matched controls. All of these elements were significantly lower in the thalassaemic children compared with controls. There was a highly significant inverse correlation between serum ferritin and serum retinol levels, and significant inverse correlations between serum iron and retinol and between serum iron and selenium. Serum ferritin showed a significant positive correlation with duration of chelation and transfusion treatments. Ways are needed to counteract this oxidative damage and its deleterious effect on the prognosis of thalassaemia