Growth failure in Iraqi children with β thalassemia major

Abstract EN

Objectives: Iraq is located in the geographical distribution of Beta-thalassemia major (βTM).

Badly treated patients are susceptible to develop different complications, including growth failure (GF).

We aimed to estimate the prevalence of GF and determine associated risk factors in Iraqi βTM children.

Methods: From 1st October 2017 to 31st March 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional observational study on 203 βTM children attending β-thalassemia center at Al-karama Teaching Hospital in Baghdad.

The collected data covered the following variables: age, gender, educational level of parents, age of the patient at time of diagnosis, presence of other βTM siblings in the family, frequency of blood transfusion (BT) per month, regularity of receiving chelating therapy (CT), blood hemoglobin (Hb) level of the patient, history of splenectomy, and weight of the patient.

Statistical association of these variables with GF was done using Chi-square.

Results: The prevalence of GF was estimated to be 17%.

Among risk factors, educational level of the parents, presence of other siblings with βTM, increasing the frequency of receiving BT, irregularity of receiving CT, and blood Hb level <10 g/dl were associated significantly with GF.

However, age, gender, and age of the patient at the time of the diagnosis were not associated with GF.

Conclusions: The reported prevalence of GF in this study was less than that reported locally and in neighboring countries.

Alleviating risk factors requires the need to implement strategic actions to promote the growth of βTM children and help them lead productive and happy future lives.