title: Growth Parameters and Vitamin D status in Children with Thalassemia Major in Upper Egypt.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to assess the growth parameters, vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorous status in children with thalassemia major receiving packed red cells transfusion with chelation therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a case control study, 100 patients with beta thalassemia major (aged from 4 to 15 years) were compared with 100 sex- and age-matched children serves as a control group. Anthropometric measurement, Serum level of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D (25 hydroxycholecalciferol) were estimated for all patients & controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  49% of our patients had short stature. 47% were underweight. BMI of 43 (43%) patients were low. The mean total serum calcium (6.6±1.2 mg/dl) and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH Vit D) (10.4±4.6 mcg/dl) levels were significantly lower in our patients than in controls (10.2±1.06 mg/dl and 40.2±12.3 mcg/dl, respectively); each P< 0.001.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with beta thalassemia major have delayed growth and metabolic abnormalities that signify the importance of therapeutic interventions. The presence of these abnormalities may be due to iron overload and poor nutritional support.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt.
authors: Fahim M
authors: FM
authors: Fahim
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt.
authors: Khaled
authors: K
authors: Saad
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt.
authors: Eman A
authors: EA
authors: Askar
authors: Department of clinical pathology, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt.
authors: Eman Nasr
authors: EN
authors: Eldin
authors: Department of internal medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt.
authors: Ahmed F
authors: AF
authors: Thabet
keywords: Calcium; Growth; Thalassemia major; Vitamin D