A A study of Linear Growth in β-Thalassaemia Major Patients: A cross-sectional study from Hereditary Blood Disorders Centre in Babylon

Linear Growth in β-Thalassaemia Major

Abstract

Background:

Beta-thalassaemia major (β-ThM) is one of the most common genetic disorders worldwide. β-ThM is a public health burden in Iraq with a relatively high prevalence rate compared to the neighboring geographic communities. Growth retardation (GR) remains one of the most encountered complications affecting the quality of thalassaemic life. In Iraq, there are few epidemiological statistics on thalassemia and its burden.

Objective: This work aimed to investigate the growth status among β-ThM patients attending Hereditary Blood Disorders Centre in Babylon, Iraq.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study covered 163 β-ThM patients aging 3-17years. The anthropometric measures were plotted on the most agreed international growth charts for a definite growth evaluation. A Z-score of <-2height was considered as short stature and a Z-score <-2BMI was measured as underweight for age. A statistic investigation was finalized by SPSS/version-25, and the qualitative parameters were displayed as count/percentage, while the quantitative parameters were expressed as mean± SD. A p-value of <5% was planned as significant

Results:

The mean ages were 12.6±3.5 (3-17), and eighty-four (51.5%) were males. The mean weight, height, body mass index (BMI), height Z-score, and weight Z-score were 136.9±15.1, 32.5±10.3, 16.8±3.3, 2.1±1.1, and 2.0±1.3 respectively. Around a third of the recorded patients were suffering from stunted growth. Males' heights seem to be affected more among those with stunted growth. There was a significant association among anthropometric results with the increasing age of β-ThM patients (p-0.003). A significant incidence of GR was observed among patients aging >9-years (p-0.001).

Conclusion:

The GR in terms of delayed linear growth, weight, and BMI are common health issues in β-ThM patients that become apparent after the age of 10years. The male seems to show a significant linear-growth delay. Patients with β-ThM necessitate regular transfusions regimen and improved policies for iron overload. Hence, together with sustaining hemoglobin levels, it is imperative to monitor the anthropometric measurements regularly.