Case Study on Thalassemia in Children

Abstract

Thalassemia, also known as Cooley’s anemia or Mediterranean anemia, is a group of hereditary hemolytic anemias characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin synthesis. The word thalassemia is derived from the Greek word thalassa, which means the great sea. Clinical finding: abdominal pain, fever (temperature - 101 degrees F), anemia (Hb 6.4 gm%). Diagnostic evaluation: Blood test: Hb 6.4 gm%, total erythrocyte count 2.3 million/m³, RDW 18.2%, HCT 20.2%, total leukocyte count 3200/m³, monocytes 02%, granulocytes 20%, lymphocytes 77%, AST (SGOT) 112 U/L. Peripheral smear: Erythrocytes mildly hypochromic with mild cytosis showing few microcytosis and slightly hypochromic. Platelets in smear reduced, APC 62,000 cells. Ultrasonography: splenomegaly. Therapeutic interventions: blood transfusion, Inj. Cefotaxime 750 mg IV x BD, Syr. Azee 4 ml x OD, Tab. Folic Acid 5 mg x OD, Tab. Udiliv 150 mg x BD, Cap. Hydra 500 mg x OD, Tab. Prednisolone 10 mg x BD. Outcome: After the treatment, the child shows improvement. His fever and abdominal pain were relieved and his Hb% increased from 6.4 gm% to 11 gm% after blood transfusion. Conclusion: My patient was admitted to pediatric ward No. 14 AVBRH with a known case of thalassemia and complained of fever and abdominal pain. After appropriate treatment, his condition improved.