STUDY OF CLINICAL PROFILE OF TRANSFUSED THALASSEMIC CHILDRENS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HEPATITIS B PROFILE AND LIVER FUNCTION

Present study was conducted to assess the thalassemia patients and to find out the sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B among the thalassemic patients. The study was conducted in two tertiary care hospitals of Quetta city of Balochistan Province of Pakistan. A total of 289 confirmed thalassemic patients were screened for Hepatitis B virus. Data was collected on a pre-organized Performa that included patient's demographics and general information. Patient's clinical profile was recorded and blood samples were collected for laboratory analysis. The liver function test (ALT, ALP and Bilirubin) was performed. The results were then subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS. The study showed a prevalence of 3.1% of HBsAg patients in our population. The study also indicated elevated levels of ATL and ALP indicating liver infections among population. The study recommends using more accurate methods of screening for hepatitis B and C to reduce the high risk of transfusion hepatitis as the lives of these sick patients rely on blood transfusions.