Hematological and Biochemical Markers of Iron Status in Thalassemic Children Receiving Multiple Blood Transfusion

Thalassemia is derived from the Greek words, thals, which means sea, and emia, which means blood, signifying that it is more common in the Mediterranean region . Globally, among humans, thalassemia is the commonest single-gene disorder. It is defined as a group of inherited disorders characterized by decreased or absent beta globin chain synthesis, leading to a reduced level of hemoglobulin (Hb) in the red blood cells . Specifically in developing countries, thalassemia is a huge health dilemma.

-Beta Thalassemia is the most common chronic hemolytic anemia in Egypt (85.1%) with an estimated carrier rate of 9-10.2%.

Blood transfusion is the primary way of treating thalassemia; it allows the normal growth of the child as well as restrains abnormal erythropoiesis . Iron-chelating agents should be used properly;otherwise, multiple blood transfusions can lead to iron overload. Yet, with no blood transfusion, the increase rate of erythropoiesis intensifies dietary iron absorption from the gut, leading to a severe form of iron overload .

iron overload can result in serious damage to various organs, for example, by depositing in the liver, heart, and various other endocrine glands along with endocrine organ failure. .

During the last years, liver disease has emerged as a major cause of mortality in patients with B- thalassemia major (TM).