Frequency of Hypoparathyroidism in Children Presenting with Beta-Thalassemia Major in Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

Objective: Aim of our study is to determine the prevalence of hypoparathyroidism in children presenting with beta-thalassemia major in tertiary care center. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration: The study was conducted at Thalassemia Center Divisional Headquarter Hospital Mirpur Azad Kashmir during the period from February 2021 to July 2021. Methods: There were eighty eight children with both genders had beta-thalassemia were presented in this study. Age of the patients was between 5-14 years. We have obtained formal permission from the authorities to collect full demographics, including age, sex, body mass index, chelation and transfusion therapy, calcium consumption, the age of beginning of HPT, any symptoms of hypocalcemia. Blood samples were taken for measurement of serum calcium and phosphorus. Prevalence of hypoparathyroidism was calculated among all the cases. SPSS 25.0 version was used to analyze all data. Results: Majority of the patients were males 48 (60%) and 32 (40%) females in this study. Mean body mass index was 7.12±3.13 kg/m2. Mean age of the patients was 8.12±6.35 years. 45(56.3%) were on combination therapy and chelation therapy was in 35 (43.7%). Mean serum calcium level was 6.17±3.55 mg/dl and phosphorus level was 4.15±9.97 mg/dl. We found frequency of HPT among 18 (22.5%) cases.5.45±7.17 years was the mean age of beginning HPT. Patients had HPT were mostly on single chelation therapy using deferiprone (DFP).There was high prevalence of hypocalcemia found in 43 (53.8%) cases. Among 43 cases of hypocalcemia, 24 (55.8%) patients were asymptomatic and 20 (44.2%) were symptomatic in which paresthesias & numbness was the most common complication. Conclusion: We found in this study that the frequency of hypoparathyroidism was a common complication in patients with beta-thalassemia. Frequency of hypocalcemia was high among patients with most prevalent asymptomatic cases. Paresthesias & numbness was the most common complication among symptomatic hypocalcemia. Keywords: Beta-thalassemia, Hypoparathyroidism, Complications, Hypocalcemia