Study on correlation of Serum ferritin levels with serum calcium, phosphate and parathormone levels in patients with β-thalassemia major receiving blood transfusion

Abstract

Introduction:Thalassemia is a heterogeneous family of inherited disorders of hemoglobin synthesis. The combination of transfusion and chelation therapy has dramatically extended the life expectancy of thalassemia patients, but with complications like hypocalcaemia. The present study was undertaken to estimate serum calcium, phosphate and parathormone levels in patients with β- thalassemia who are receiving repeated blood transfusion and to correlate them with serum ferritin levels.Method:Hospital based study conducted at S. Nijalingappa Medical College and Hanagal Shri Kumareshwar hospital, Bagalkot. The study period was from 2015 to 2016. During study period, 53 beta thalassemia major cases were fulfilling inclusion criteria were investigated. Serum calcium level was determined  by  OCPC  method,  serum  phosphate  levels  by  ammonium  molybdate method. And chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) method used to estimate the parathormone levels.Result:The study consisted of 32 (60.4%) males and 21 (39.6%) females. Among 53 transfusion dependent children studied, the mean age is 5.249 years.  There is a negative correlation between serum ferritin and serum calcium as well as, parathyroid hormone which is statistically significant (p value <0.005).There is a positive correlation between serum ferritin  and  serum  phosphate  and  ALP  which  is  statistically significant  (p <0.005).Conclusion: Thalassemia  is  a  genetic  disorder,  which  should  be  diagnosed  as  early  as possible, regular blood transfusion in order to sustain a good growth and prevent stunting.