RESUMO
Background: Beta-thalassemia is one of the common genetic disorders in our community. Therefore, it is deem necessary to study and probe it to encompass all aspects of this disorder
Objectives: The objective of the study was to find out the distribution of beta-thalassemia in different age groups, prevalence of transfusion related viral infections and serum ferritin levels
Methodology: All cases of thalassemia major and thalassemia intermedia registered with the Centre for Thalassemia Care, Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, were included in the study. The cases were divided into three different age groups, i.e. 0-5 years, 5.1-10 years, 10.1 years and above. The cases were diagnosed as of beta-thalassemia by history and examination, peripheral blood picture, hemoglobin electrophoresis and confirmed by genetic analysis. All cases were screened for HCV, HBV, and HIV. Some of the cases were tested for serum ferritin levels
Results: Two hundred and eighty three [63% males and 37% females] registered cases of beta-thalassemia were included in the study. Two hundred fifty seven [91%] patients were suffering from thalassemia major and 26 [9%] were having thalassemia intermedia. Out of 283 cases, 196 [69%] were belonging to rural areas and 87 [31%] were residing in urban areas. Fifty-five [19.4%] beta-thalassemic patients were found to be positive with anti-HCV antibody and 3[1%] cases were positive for HBV surface antigen. There was a significant difference [p<0.05] between the means of serum ferritin levels in thalassemia major [2775] and thalassemia intermedia cases [1519]
Conclusion: Majority of thalassemic patients were suffering from beta-thalassemia major. Males were predominantly suffering from beta-thalassemia major while in thalassemia intermedia sex distribution was almost equal. The overall prevalence of beta thalassemia in rural areas was comparatively high. Nineteen per cent of beta-thalassemia patients were positive for anti-HCV antibody. There was significant difference in means of ferritin levels among the patients of thalassemia major and of thalassemia intermedia