BIOCHEMICAL STATUS OF BONE TURN OVER IN TRANSFUSION DEPENDANT Β-THALASSEMIA CHILDREN; A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Background and objectives: Thalassemia is amongst the most common inborn blood disorders and beta thalassemia is the extreme form. The collective effect of transfusion supported with chelation has increased the life expectancy of thalassemia patients but with the complications of deranged biochemical status. The purpose of the present study was to assess the biochemical status of bone turnover in thalassemia children who are regularly transfused and comparison to normal population of children with same age group. Subjects and methods: In this study, 65 healthy and 65 beta thalassemia major children were recruited of age 5-11 years. Serum content of calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, albumin and hemoglobin were measured and compared with the controls. Results: Biochemical status was deteriorated in beta thalassemia major children as compared to control group. Serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase were significantly raised in beta thalassemia major children as compared to controls. Serum albumin and hemoglobin were reduced in thalassemia group. Conclusion: Our study concludes that beta thalassemia major children and controls have difference in biochemical profile which emphasizes the need for increasing the struggles of regular assessments and follow ups of thalassemia children. This could be used to adjust, improve and enhance the management protocols which ultimately raise the quality of life of these children in future. Keywords: Beta thalassemia major, serum calcium, serum phosphate, albumin