Glycemic Abnormalities Assessment on Children and Adolescents with Beta-Thalassemia Major

Siska Mayasari Lubis; Bidasari Lubis; Nadhira Anindita Ralena

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2022.8237

Authors

Siska Mayasari Lubis Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5671-7946
Bidasari Lubis Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
Nadhira Anindita Ralena General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6359-1715

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.8237

Keywords:

Diabetes, Thalassemia, Children, Adolescents

Abstract

Background

Iron overloading in beta-thalassemia major individuals can cause organ damage. Iron excess can cause endocrine problems, including diabetes. Diabetes mellitus in patients with beta-thalassemia major represents a major concern, especially in children and adolescents.

Aim

To assess glycemic abnormalities in children and adolescents with beta-thalassemia major.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included beta-thalassemia major subjects with no previous diabetes mellitus history and routinely obtained blood transfusion. Laboratory investigations on the fasting insulin and blood glucose levels, 2 h postprandial plasma glucose, fasting insulin, and serum ferritin levels were conducted. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated for assessing insulin resistance. Statistically, a significant correlation was obtained if the p-value was <0.05.

Results

This research consisted of 56 beta-thalassemia major children. The mean age of the subjects was 9.46 (2-18) years old. At diagnosis, the mean age was 40 (3-180) months old. We found a significant correlation between serum ferritin and ages, body weight, height, diagnosis age, and blood volume per transfusion of the included subjects. Nevertheless, there was no significant correlation between serum ferritin with glycemic parameters, including fasting blood glucose, 2 h postprandial plasma glucose, fasting insulin levels, and HOMA-IR found with a p-value >0.05.

Conclusions

A significant correlation was identified between age at diagnosis and volume of blood per transfusion with serum ferritin levels. However, there was no significant correlation between serum ferritin levels with glycemic status.

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