ASSESSMENT OF SERUM CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS LEVELS AMONG TRANSFUSION-DEPENDENT BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR PATIENTS ON CHELATION THERAPY

Objectives: to determine the levels of calcium and phosphorus in transfusion- dependant β-thalassemia major patients who were on chelation therapy being followed at Fatimid Foundation, Peshawar. Methodology: This study included 100 β-thalassemia major patients who were diagnosed by Hb electrophoresis and were receiving regular blood transfusions for anemia and chelation therapy for prevention of iron overload related complications. Detailed history and examination including height and weight were recorded on pre-designed questionnaire and blood samples were taken for measurement of serum calcium and phosphorus. These tests were performed on “Microlab 200” via commercially available kits. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: Frequency of hypocalcemia was 49% in our study. Hyperphosphataemia was associated with 53% of hypocalcemic patients (Hypoparathyroidism was suspected in 26 patients). Mean serum calcium was 8.46±0.94mg/dl while mean phosphate level was 5.33±0.77mg/dl in the subjects. Mean age of positive cases was 13.84 ± 3.98 years. Conclusion: Low serum calcium is very prevalent in transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia major patients in our set up possibly due to poor chelation as was confirmed by our study where 49% of patients had hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia in iron overload patients is mostly chronic and asymptomatic.