title: Effect of iron chelator desferrioxamine on serum zinc levels in patients with beta thalassemia major.
abstract: β-thalassemia is the most common genetic disorder worldwide with an increased prevalence around the Mediterranean, Indian subcontinent and in South-East Asia. Various siderotic and non-siderotic complications significantly impact the quality of life. Thalassemic patients are also at risk of zinc deficiency due to diverse causes including desferrioxamine chelation. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of zinc deficiency in beta thalassemia major patients on desferrioxamine for iron chelation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional study over a 6-month period. 63 cases of beta thalassemia major within the age group of 5-15 years on desferrioxamine for at least 1 year, were included. Basic patient demographics such as age, gender and duration of disease were recorded. Serum zinc levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of patients was 10.84±3.47 (5 to 15) years. There were 35 (55.6%) males and 28(44.4%) females. The prevalence of zinc deficiency (zinc levels>50 µg/dl) was 22.2%. Proportions of deficiency were higher in males with a duration of disease beyond 10 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zinc deficiency is not uncommon in beta thalassemia patients on desferrioxamine. We suggest that zinc levels be regularly monitored in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Liaquat National Hospital, Department of Hematology, Karachi, Pakistan. sadia.sultan@lnh.edu.pk.
authors.forename: Sadia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sultan
authors.forename: Syed Mohammed
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Irfan
authors.forename: Jamaluddin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kakar
authors.forename: Rozina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zeeshan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D003676:Deferoxamine; D015032:Zinc