ASSESSMENT OF BMI IN BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Recurrent blood transfusions cause growth retardation in children with β-thalassemia major. Thecurrent research aimed to evaluate the nutritional health of individuals with beta-thalassemia major.Objectives: The number one goals of this studies are to evaluate the dietary health of people with beta-thalassemiapredominant, specializing in BMI and peak, and to identify elements contributing to growth retardation in this populace.Duration and place of study : Department of Medicine, Jinnah Khan Medical College, Peshawar jan to dec 2015Materials and Methods: One hundred thalassemia major patients, aged five to twenty, underwent anthropometry, andtheir BMI was computed. Patients were classified as underweight, normal weight, and overweight based on percentilesfound in CDC charts. Patients were classified as short stature if their height fell below the age-specific 5th percentile.SPSS was used to analyze the data.Results: Of the patients, 1% were overweight, 45% were normal weight, and 54% were underweight. 81% of thepatients had little height.Conclusion: Beta thalassemia major is quite common in causing growth retardation. To identify any drop in growthvelocity and BMI derangement, height and weight should be consistently examined at regular intervals. If growthretardation is seen, the reason should be looked into. Iron excess, hypoxia, and chronic anemia are common causes ofgrowth retardation.Keywords: β-thalassemia major, Basal Mass IndexBMI(), short stature