Copper, zinc, and magnesium status among patients with thalassemia attending pediatric hematological unit at Sohag University Hospital

Abstract

Introduction Thalassemias are a group of inherited blood-born disorders caused by abnormalities in the synthesis of hemoglobin chain (α or β chain). β-Thalassemia major is the severest form where individuals usually experience severe transfusion-dependent anemia within their first two years of life; thus, it requires regular transfusions of packed red blood cell (RBC) and desferrioxamine injections. Patients with thalassemia have ineffective erythropoiesis and faster RBC turnover owing to the short life span of RBCs and so increased body demand of energy and nutrients to keep normal erythropoiesis. Trace elements and minerals have a vital role in the appropriate functioning of the body. Aim of the study The aim of this study is evaluation of zinc, copper, and magnesium levels in patients having β-thalassemia major and establish if these patients need copper, zinc, and magnesium supplementation or no. Patients and methods In this study, we included 35 patients diagnosed as having β-thalassemia major attending pediatric hematological unit at Sohag University Hospital within a period of 6 months from January 2018 to June 2018. We studied the serum level of various trace elements in children with β-thalassemia major of both sexes aged below 18 years in a cross-sectional study by assessment of serum level of zinc, copper, and magnesium using classical colorimetric end-point technique by a semiautomated, programmable photometer 5010. Results Only 6.7% of the studied patients had serum zinc levels of less than 66 µg/dl and 13.3% had copper levels of less than 63.7 µg/dl, whereas more than one-third of the participants had copper levels higher than 140.12 µg/dl. Serum magnesium levels of all the studied patients were within the normal range (1.46–2.68 µg/dl). Conclusion Empirical zinc, copper, and magnesium supplementation should not be regularly recommended in patients with β-thalassemia major.