Study the levels of folic acid, vitamin B12 and ferritin in thalassemia

Objective: To estimate the levels of folic acid, vitamin B12 and ferritin in thalassemic children. Material and Methods: This study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry in PGIMS, Rohtak. Thirty children with the confirmed diagnosis of thalassemia were enrolled in the study group and thirty healthy age and sex matched children were included in the control group. Estimation of serum ferritin, folic acid and vitamin B12 were done by ADVIA Centaur CP autoanalyzer by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: Study group showed a decrease in serum folic acid and vitamin B12 levels with mean value of 8.91 ±1.04 ng/mL and 241.33± 29.28 pg/mL respectively as compared to control group was 12.23±1.31 ng/mL and 419.63±58.47 pg/mL (p<0.001) whereas increased concentration of ferritin with mean value of 3466.75± 2028.96 ng/mL in study group as compared to control group was 176.70±11.63 and was statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study found a significant decrease of vitamin B12, folic acid and increased ferritin in children with thalassemia. Biochemical screening of these parameters is of paramount importance in thalassemia patients in paediatric age group. Also, there is an absolute need for further studies to understand the mechanism of relationship between serum ferritin, Vitamin B12 and folic acid in these patients.