Levels of Calcium, Corrected Calcium, Alkaline Phosphatase and Inorganic Phosphorus in Patients’ Serum with β-Thalassemia Major on Subcutaneous Deferoxamine

Abstract

Introduction: Combination of transfusion and chelation therapy has dramatically extended the life expectancy of patients with β-thalassemia major. Aim of this study was to determine of serum calcium, albumin corrected calcium, alkaline phosphatase and inorganic phosphorus in patients with β-thalassemia major on deferoxamine therapy. Methods: Sixty five patients with β-thalassemia major receiving blood transfusion with subcutaneous iron chelation therapy and 45 controls i.e. healthy individuals of the same age were enrolled in this study. Serum calcium, albumin corrected serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase and inorganic phosphorus levels were determined in all individuals. Results: In patients with β-thalassemia major serum calcium and albumin corrected serum calcium levels were low as compared with controls (p< 0.01 and < 0.04 respectively). All patients had high alkaline phosphatase level than in controls (p< 0.001). Levels of inorganic phosphorus were also high in patients than controls (p< 0.01). Serum albumin did not show any statistically significant difference between patients and normal subjects (p< 0.11). Conclusions: It is concluded that bone health is greatly compromised in patients with β-thalassemia major and bone related biochemical abnormalities i.e. hypocalcaemia, hyperphosphatemia and hyperphosphatasia are common in thalassemia major patients.