Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: January | Volume: 7 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 45-51
Effect of Oral Chelation Therapy on Physical Growth and Serum Ferritin Levels in Children with Thalassemia Major in Tertiary Care Hospital in Western Maharashtra
Dr. Sangita Kumbhojkar1, Dr. Rahul Murugkar2, Dr. Sudhir Sarawade3
1Associate Professor, 2Senior Resident, 3HOD & Professor,
Dept. of Pediatrics, R.C.S.M. Govt. Medical College Kolhapur.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Sangita Kumbhojkar
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To study the effects of oral iron chelation regimen on serum ferritin levels, the physical and sexual growth of children with thalassemia major
Methods:-This is prospective study of total 42 Children of thalassemia major receiving blood transfusion in tertiary care hospital. All the children included in the study were subjected to anthropometry measurement and SMR staging. Routine investigations along with serum ferritin level were estimated 6 monthly. Patients studied in groups 1 receiving no chelation therapy and a group 2 receiving oral chelator .Growth assessment was done by growth Chart.
Results: The one year mean ferritin level after 12 months of enrollments in group 01 was 5567.71 ng/ml and in group 02:4726.25 ng/ml. A statistically significant decline was observed in the 1 year serum Ferritin in group 2.Mean ferritin levels were significantly higher in short stature than in the patients with normal height. Among adolescents (n=12) 10 patients are short statured (66.66%) Amongst short statured patients (n=15). 10 patients (25.64%) were undernourished and 3(7.69%) were severely malnourished. Four adolescent patients (33.3%) in this study had delayed onset of puberty. S. ferritins in patients with delayed puberty were higher compared to those in adolescent patients with normal puberty.
Conclusion: Thalassemia patients are short, have low rate of growth and BMI (Body Mass Index) and have either delayed or absent pubertal spurt, which is correlated with status of iron overload and high serum ferritin. Iron chelating agent like deferasirox have significant role in reduction of serum ferritin.
Key words: Thalassemia major, Chelation therapy, Growth Assessment, Sexual maturity rating(smr) serum ferritin.