Thalassemia ENDOCRINOPATHIES IN THALASSEMIA PATIENTS

Objective: To determine the common endocrine complications found in children having thalassemia major. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatric Medicine, Combined Military Hospital Multan, from May to Nov 2019. Methodology: A total of 160 Children with thalassemia were taken in this study. Once registered, venous blood sample was taken and sent to the laboratory for endocrine profile. SPSS-21 was applied for analysis of collected data. Results: Out of 160 study cases, 100 (62.5%) were boys while 60 (37.5%) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 8.58 ± 1.98 years. Mean duration of disease was 5.28 ± 3.29 years. Parental consanguinity was positive in 122 (76.3%) and only 47 (29.4%) were taking chelation therapy. Mean HbA1C level was 6.23 ± 1.18% mg/dl and diabetes was noted in 41 (25.6%) of our study cases. Mean FT4 was 0.98 ± 0.13 ng/dl and hypothyroidism was noted in 24 (15%) of our study cases. Conclusion: Diabetes and hypothyroidism were the common endocrine complications noted in our study among children having thalassemia. All physicians treating such patients should always screen such patients for early diagnosis and timely management in order to reduce burden of related morbidities and enhance quality of life of these patients.