Changes in serum iron, total iron binding capacity, calcium and phosphorus concentrations in children with beta thalassemia major in Babylon Governorate

Abstract EN

This study was designated to investigate the changes of some biochemical parameters in children affected with beta thalassemia major in Babylon.

Fifty transfusion dependent patients beta thalassemia major (25 males and 25 females) included in present study.

The mean of their ages was 9 ± 5 years, those patients undergo periodical blood transfusion and desferroxamine as a chelating agent.

Twenty six healthy controls (13 males and 13 females) of matched age and gender were also included in this study.

Beta thalassemia major patients showed a significant increase (p < 0.01) in values of serum iron (in both males and females) incomparsion with control.

While the values of total iron binding capacity recorded a significant decrease (p < 0.01) compared with control.

As well as values of serum calcium pointed out a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in patients with beta thalassemia, whereas the results of serum phosphorus showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in both males and females with beta thalassemia major as compared with healthy subjects.

The results of this study may be attributed to toxic roles of iron over load on organs such as liver, kidney, heart, glands and bones.