Iron status of beta thalassemia carriers.
One hundred twenty-four relatives (aged 17-52 years) of 35 children with severe transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia major were investigated for their beta thalassemia carrier status (determined by Hb-A2 level) and iron status (determined by serum ferritin level). Forty-eight males had beta thalassemia trait (BTT) and 18 males did not have BTT (control); 41 females had BTT and 17 females did not have BTT (control). Serum ferritin levels (mean +/- SEM) of male BTT, male control, female BTT, and female control groups were 151.0 +/- 27.4, 59.6 +/- 16.3, 120.6 +/- 36.6, and 17.2 +/- 6.1 mcg/liter respectively; the differences between the two male and the two female groups were statistically significant (p = .05 and p less than .001). Iron deficiency (serum ferritin below 10.0 mcg/liter) was present in 6.3%, 38.9%, 24.4%, and 58.8% of male BTT, male control Female BTT, and female control groups, respectively; the differences between the two male and two female groups were statistically significant (p less than .01 and p less than .01). Serum ferritin was over 1,000 mcg/liter in four individuals with BTT (2 male and 2 female). Thus, the BTT group had better iron nutrition. This may suggest that the BTT group has an advantage in maintaining iron balance.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006443:Hemoglobin A2 / Q000032:analysis; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics
D005293:Ferritins; D006443:Hemoglobin A2; D007501:Iron