STUDY OF DIFFERENT CLINICAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERS OF PATIENTS WITH THALASSEMIA AND THEIR RELATION TO HEMOGLOBIN, SOME MINERALS AND TRACE ELEMENTS AND ALBUMIN LEVELS IN THEIR BLOOD

Abstract

Background: Thalassaemia is considered the most common genetic disorder worldwide. β thalassaemia has emerged as a huge public health problem worldwide. The classic changes of untreated thalassaemia major are now regularly seen only in countries without resources to support long-term transfusion programs.Objective: To study the different clinical features of patients with anemia attending the center for anemia of Mediterranean origin in Ibn-Albalady Hospital in Baghdad for blood transfusion. To correlate different clinical features with the different demographic characters among the sample patients and with the blood levels of hemoglobin, some trace elements, minerals and albumin. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted in the center for anemia of Mediterranean origin in Ibn-Albalady Hospital, 157 patients were randomly selected using convenient sampling and patients attending the center for blood transfusion. Blood samples were taken from all the studied sample. Tests were done for different serum levels of trace elements, minerals, albumin and hemoglobin.Results: showed that out of 157 patients studied, there were 112 (71.3%) from Baghdad and 107 (68.2%) from urban areas. The mean age on diagnosis was 1.6 years and that thalassemia major was found in 121 (77.1%), there were 108 (68.8%) who require blood transfusion between 2-4 weeks, and desferol treatment frequency was >4 times week in 99 (63.1%) and under nutrition was found in 76 (48.4%) patients. Conclusion: More centers for thalassemia are to be established in different areas in our country, with increase efficiency as to include gene frequency. Programs based on carrier screening and counseling of couples at marriage, preconception or early pregnancy to be established. Prenatal diagnosis by mutation analysis on PCR amplified DNA from chorionic villi.Key word: Mineral, Trace elements, Thalassemia