Endocrinopathies in Thalassemia with Special Reference to Anthropometry

Background: Despite intensive iron chelation therapy, growth retardation, hypo gonadotropic hypogonadism, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, osteopenia and osteoporosis represent the common endocrinopathies in pediatric thalassemia patients. Purpose: To study profile of blood transfusion, chelation therapy and complications in thalassemia children, to study anthropometric measurements, to study the incidence of and growth retardation & endocrine complications in thalassemia patients. Methods: This is observational -prospective study is carried out among children in thalassemia clinic. The detailed history regarding blood transfusion and use of iron chelator taken and various anthropometric measurements recorded. Blood and radio-graphical investigations are done at blood transfusion date or on follow up. Results: Mean duration of blood transfusion was less than 2 week in 31.1%, between 2-4 week in 46.7% and more than 4 week in 22.2%. In present study, height less than 3rd percentile observed in 53.6% male and 64.7% female and between 3rd -50th percentile in 37.1% male and 23.4% female. Weight less than 3rd percentile seen in 32.2% male and 29.4% female while 3rd -50th percentile was observed in 42.8% male and 47% female. Conclusion: Growth retardation was observed in 29.6% of children in present study. Juvenile Diabetes & Hypothyroidism was seen in 2.2% & 1.5% respectively.