9. Original Scientific Paper
Abstract

Thalassaemia is the most common monogenic, autosomal recessive hereditary disorder. The severe forms of thalassaemia are associated with chronic transfusion dependent haemolytic anaemia. Normal growth is impeded due to nutritional deficiency, chronic anaemia as well as iron overload. The aim of this study is to focus the nutritional health status of
transfusion dependent thalassaemia patients. This is a cross-sectional analysis of the records of the patients registered at Day Care unit of a City Hospital, Kolkata, India. Clinical history of each patient is collected from registered book of the hospital and body weights and height of the
patients are taken from day care unit before starting the transfusion. Laboratory parameters like Pretransfusion Haemoglobin (Hb) and Periodic Serum Ferritin are noted in respect of each patient. Z score for height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) is also taken into consideration using WHO reference. Statistical analysis was carried out using Microsoft excel and SPSS16 Software. Out of 117 Bengali speaking patients 84 were from different Hindu caste families and the rest 33 were from the Muslim community. The mean age of studied patients’ opulation was 10.77 years (range 4 -20years). Major patients (81.1%) suffer high level (>1000ng/ml) of serum ferritin level due to not proper management of Pretransfusion haemoglobin and as well as not taken regular chelation. About two third (65.8%) of studied population are noted to be short stature, 18.8% are thin and 23.9% are very thin (BMI Z score <-3). as well as regular chelation therapy is the central aspects to improve their proper growth Only 3 children are overweight. Height Z scores is significantly co related with mean serum ferritin level. Management of the disease is very important to control the nutritional health status of thalassaemic children. Proper knowledge of iron free food, optimum transfusion as well as
regular chelation therapy is the central aspects to improve their proper growth.

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