Study of physical growth in children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia

Abstract

Background: Many children diagnosed with transfusion-dependent thalassemia experience growth problems, even though they receive regular blood transfusions and iron-chelation therapy to relieve anemic symptoms, prevent complications, and improve the quality of life.

Objectives: The primary objective was to study physical growth in children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia, and the secondary objective was to identify associated factors affecting physical growth in these children.

Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study of one-year duration. The population consisted of children aged six to eighteen years diagnosed with transfusion-dependent thalassemia who received treatment at the hematology clinic of the pediatric department. Exclusion criteria included children with chronic diseases that could affect physical growth, chronic renal failure, primary musculoskeletal disorders, or recent medications with long-term effects on physical growth.

Results: Patients diagnosed with thalassemia at two years of age or older have an increased risk of developing growth problems, although without statistical significance (p value 0.81). This risk was also present in patients with pre-transfusion hematocrit levels less than 27% (p value 0.38) and those with iron overload (p value 0.42). Conversely, patients with a blood transfusion interval of more than five weeks had a decreased risk of developing growth problems, albeit without statistical significance (p value 0.34).

Conclusion: Patients diagnosed at two years of age or older, those with pre-transfusion hematocrit less than 27%, and those with iron overload had an increased risk of developing growth problems, in contrast to patients with a blood transfusion interval of more than five weeks,

Abstract

Background: Many children diagnosed with transfusion-dependent thalassemia experience growth problems, even though they receive regular blood transfusions and iron-chelation therapy to relieve anemic symptoms, prevent complications, and improve the quality of life.

Objectives: The primary objective was to study physical growth in children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia, and the secondary objective was to identify associated factors affecting physical growth in these children.

Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study of one-year duration. The population consisted of children aged six to eighteen years diagnosed with transfusion-dependent thalassemia who received treatment at the hematology clinic of the pediatric department. Exclusion criteria included children with chronic diseases that could affect physical growth, chronic renal failure, primary musculoskeletal disorders, or recent medications with long-term effects on physical growth.

Results: Patients diagnosed with thalassemia at two years of age or older have an increased risk of developing growth problems, although without statistical significance (p value 0.81). This risk was also present in patients with pre-transfusion hematocrit levels less than 27% (p value 0.38) and those with iron overload (p value 0.42). Conversely, patients with a blood transfusion interval of more than five weeks had a decreased risk of developing growth problems, albeit without statistical significance (p value 0.34).

Conclusion: Patients diagnosed at two years of age or older, those with pre-transfusion hematocrit less than 27%, and those with iron overload had an increased risk of developing growth problems, in contrast to patients with a blood transfusion interval of more than five weeks, who had a decreased risk of developing growth problems without statistical significance.

Keywords: Transfusion-dependent thalassemia, iron overload, regular transfusion, abnormal physical growth, or height velocity

who had a decreased risk of developing growth problems without statistical significance.