STUDY THE THYROID DYSFUNCTION IN MULTIPLE BLOOD TRANSFUSED CHILDREN WITH ?ETA-THALASSEMIA MAJOR AND FIND OUT EFFECT ON THEIR GROWTH.

Dr Bharti Lal; Dr Jaiprakash Narayan; Dr Yogendra Kumar; Dr Pukhraj Garg

Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2020

STUDY THE THYROID DYSFUNCTION IN MULTIPLE BLOOD TRANSFUSED CHILDREN WITH ?ETA-THALASSEMIA MAJOR AND FIND OUT EFFECT ON THEIR GROWTH.

Dr Bharti Lal, Dr Jaiprakash Narayan, Dr Yogendra Kumar, Dr Pukhraj Garg

Abstract :

Detection of hypothyroidism in multiple transfused children with β–thalassemia is of great clinical significance. Hypothyroidism can itself cause growth failure, which can add to the existing growth retardation in thalassemia patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate thyroid function status in β–thalassemia major patients and effect on their growth. METHOD: This study included 105 children diagnosed with beta–thalassemia major admitted for blood transfusion and chelation therapy. It was a hospital based cross–sectional study included multiple blood transfused children (≥20) aged 1 to 18 years of both sexes (M: F ratio 2:1). Patients were subjected to a detailed history and physical examination to evaluate the demographic information, quality of their last transfusions, chelation therapy and growth parameters. We assessed serum T4, TSH, serum ferritin in all patients. RESULT: Out of 105 cases, 18(17.1%) were diagnosed with hypothyroidism in which 14(13.3%) had sub–clinical hypothyroidism (normal T4 levels with a raised TSH values) and 4 (3.8%) had central hypothyroidism (T4 level were low and TSH was normal or low). Subclinical hypothyroidism was more common in the present study. 51 (48.6 %) cases were short stature. Short stature is more in female (60%) as compared to male (42.9%). Correlation between thyroid dysfunctions and height (< 3rd percentile) for age were statistically significant (p value 0.01). Correlation between thyroid dysfunction and weight for age was statistically significant (p value 0.04). CONCLUSION: High prevalence of hypothyroidism among β–thalassemia patients signifies the importance of regular screening for evaluation of endocrine function in these patients; especially when short stature is present.