AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF LIVER FUNCTIONS IN MULTIPLE TRANSFUSED THALASSEMIA PATIENTS ON REGULAR CHELATION THERAPY VERSUS IRREGULAR CHELATION THERAPY IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER OF JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN

Objectives: The aim of our study was to determine liver functions in thalassemia patients on regular versus irregular chelation therapy. Methods: This was an observational study conducted in the department of pediatrics in a tertiary care hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan. All those patients who received more than 50 blood transfusions are considered as multiple transfused patients and were included in this study. Results: A total of 50 patients were enrolled in this study. Ninety percent of patients were under 15 years of age and the male-to-female ratio was 2.85:1. In 82.35% regular chelation therapy, patients have normal liver functions as compared to 49.5% in irregular chelation therapy patients. Conclusion: Patients having abnormal liver functions in thalassemia patients due to iron overload. As a result of chelation therapy, serum glutamic oxalocetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels were significantly reduced. In the study, regular chelation therapy should be started as early as indicated in thalassemia patients.