Evaluation of liver functions in beta-thalassemic patients in Ismailia

Abstract EN

Background and objective : Regular packed RBCs transfusion puts Beta-thalassemia major patients at a high risk of developing hepatic iron overload and hepatitis C viral infection.

Aim : The aim of this study was to evaluate liver functions in thalassemic patients in Ismailia.

A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in the outpatient pediatric hematological clinic of Suez Canal Uni-versity hospital.

Material and Methods : A sample of 25 Egyptian transfusion dependant β-thalassemia major children was studied.

Individual patients underwent full history undertaking, clinical examination and a panel of laboratory tests including hemoglobin level, alanine ami-notransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum ferritin, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) and hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV Ab).

Results : Both ALT and AST means were elevated being 62.32 IU / L and 70.76 IU / L respectively.

32 % of the studied patients were HCV Ab positive while no one was HBs Ag positive.

A highly significant correlation between ALT and AST was found.

There was a statistically significant relationship between serum ferritin and HCV Ab status.

Conclusion : These findings suggest that both HCV and iron overload are the main causes of abnormal liver function in patients with thalassemia.

The treatment of both problems if coexisting in patients with thalassemia is required to prevent progression to chronic liver diseases.