Current Pediatric Research

Introduction: Thalassemia major is a great worldwide problem. It is an inherited blood disorder characterized by less oxygen carrying protein (hemoglobin) and fewer red blood cells in body than normal.

Aim and objectives: To study the effect of socio-demographic variable on osteopenia and osteoporosis in multi-transfused thalassemia patients. Material and methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in PBM children and associated group of hospitals, SP medical college, Bikaner (Rajasthan). A total of 65 children age groups of 6 to 18 years were included in the study.

Results: Maximum patients (50.76%) were belonged to 6-8 years followed by 32.91% cases belonged to 13-16 years and 16.92% cases belonged to 9-12 years. Out of 65 cases 60% cases were male and 40% were female. Maximum (56.92%) cases were from class III Socio Economic Status (SES) followed by class II (33.84%). Association between transfusion requirement (ml/kg/year) and SES was found statistically significant. 96.92% children were treated with deferasirox. Average weight of cases was 23.26 ± 8.56 kg. Average height of cases was 117.21 ± 19.24 cm. 40.00% cases were suffered from osteoporosis followed by 36.92% cases suffered from osteopenia and 23.07% cases were normal. Association between Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and age, SES, transfusion requirement and serum calcium was found statistically significant.

Conclusion: There was high incidence of low Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in patients with Beta Thalassemia Major (TM). There was significant association between low bone mineral density and age, calcium and socioeconomic status.

Author(s): Pratap Garhwal, Pramod Kumar Berwal, Tarachand Saini, Anubhav Choudhary*

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