Detection of thalassemia trait and iron-deficiency anemia among relatives of thalassemic patients – Menoufia Governorate

Abstract

ObjectiveTo detect thalassemia trait and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) among children relatives of thalassemic patients.BackgroundBeta-thalassemia represents a major public health problem in Egypt. β-thalassemia trait (BTT) often shows microcytosis and an elevated level of hemoglobin A2. Despite the start of iron fortification, the prevalence of iron deficiency is still rather high in the Middle East countries.Patients and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 pediatric relatives of β-thalassemic pediatric patients attending the Hematology Unit of the Pediatric Department, Menoufia University Hospitals, during the period from October 2015 to April 2018. Full history, clinical examination, complete blood count, serum iron, serum ferritin, and total iron-binding capacity were investigated.ResultsOverall, 20.5% of patients had BTT and 12.5% had IDA. However, 66 (33%) of the studied children had microcytic hypochromic anemia. Pallor was found in 40.9% of total group, pica found in 19.7%, and easy fatigue in 25.8% of them. All IDA cases responded to oral iron therapy.ConclusionThe frequency of BTT among pediatric close relatives of thalassemic patients is higher than in general population. IDA group had significantly higher Mentzer, Sirvastava, England and Fraser, Sirdah, Shine and Lal scores than BTT groups. BTT group had significantly higher red blood cells count, serum iron, serum ferritin, and hemoglobin A2 than IDA group. IDA group had significantly higher mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, red cell distribution width, total iron-binding capacity, and hemoglobin A than BTT groups.