Zinc Status in Beta-Thalassemia Major

Khalaf Hussein Hasan; Hasan Abdulla  Aswad; Aspazija Sofijanova

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.5688

Authors

Khalaf Hussein Hasan Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq
Hasan Abdulla Aswad Jin Oncology and hematology Center, Directorate of Health, Duhok, Iraq
Aspazija Sofijanova University Children’s Hospital, Ss Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.5688

Keywords:

β-thalassemia major, serum zinc, serum ferritin, children

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Zinc is one of the most important minerals incorporated in the enzymes of the human body. Zinc may be deficient in patients with the β-thalassemia major with possible adverse outcomes.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the serum zinc status in β-thalassemia major patients in Duhok city.

PATIENTS, MATERIAL, AND METHODS: In this case–control study, 70 children with β-thalassemia major (2–12 years) of both genders were enrolled and were matched with 70 apparently healthy children for age and sex. A venous blood sample was obtained from each child for the measurement of serum zinc and serum ferritin levels at Jin Center in Duhok City between January 1 and June 30, 2017.

RESULTS: The mean serum zinc in the thalassemia patients (74.79 [±25.14] μg/dl) was significantly lower compared to the control group (93.61 [±15.12] μg/dl), (p = 0.0001). The serum zinc was not significantly different in thalassemia patients in terms of age, disease onset, gender, height, weight, body mass index, amount of blood transfusion, and type of chelation. There was a statistically significant correlation between serum zinc levels with a serum ferritin level of patients.

CONCLUSION: The study showed that thalassemia patients have significantly lower serum levels of zinc with no relation to medical factors.

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