Beta Thalassemia Patients and Their Growth, a Mini Review and Our Clinical Experience

Background: The prevalence of short stature was reported high in thalassemia major patients. It causes mental and social problems for them. As different cut-off points for growth retardation are suggested in these patients, it is desirable to find a careful cut-off age using statistical analysis to help patients before it is too late. Evidence Acquisition: Data from ۸۰۳ thalassemia major patients was extracted from questionnaires completed in person by the operator. They contained demographic data, family, medical, and drug history. Height and weight measurements were conducted by only one device. The mean age was ۲۰ ± ۷ years and there were ۴۲۰ females in the sample. Children (less than ۲۰ years of age) constituted ۴۷% of the participants. Patients who reported a major risk factor for osteoporosis were omitted from this study.  The SPSS software was used for the statistical analysis Results: Short stature was found in ۳۲% of patients. Being ۱۰ to ۱۱ years old or above increased the risk of short stature, ۲۸.۵ and ۲۱.۴ times, respectively compared to younger patients (P values < ۰.۰۰۱). On the other hand, after ۷ years of age up to ۱۸ years of age, similar to ۱۰ years of age and ۱۱ years of age, increases the risk of short stature. Also being ۲۷ years old and ۳۰ years old and above increases the risk of short stature ۱.۴ and ۱.۷ times, respectively, compared to younger patients (P values = ۰.۰۴۲ and < ۰.۰۱۸, respectively). Conclusions: Awareness of short stature and monitoring it in thalassemic patients should be done in their childhood. Accordingly, being ۷ years old or above increases the risk of short stature; therefore, we suggest the start of monitoring as early as ۵ years of age.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cut-off point ، Growth ، Thalassemia ، Bone mineral density ، Short stature