Importance of assessment of microalbuminuria in β-thalassemia major patients

Abstract

Introduction: β-thalassemia major is one of the most common hereditary hematologic disorders characterized by severely impaired β-globulin synthesis. Renal proximal tubular dysfunction may occur in children with β-thalassemia major without clinical manifestations of renal dysfunction or decrease in GFR. However, there is paucity of information about renal involvement in this disease and its early detection in patients with β-thalassemia major is rare. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of urinary microalbumin along with serum levels of urea, creatinine, uric acid, calcium and inorganic phosphate and to correlate the levels of urinary microalbumin with the above parameters in β-thalassemia major patients. Results: Serum urea, uric acid and phosphate increased ( P P P Conclusion: Our study emphasizes the need to include microalbuminuria levels into the routine follow up of these patients. Thereby, impedance of disease progress will improve the patients' quality of life.