Abstract
Background: Disturbance of calcium hemostasis is common in patients of ß-thalassemia major. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency, distribution and presentation of hypocalcemia in ß-thalassemia major children.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Fatimid Foundation Peshawar, Pakistan from to June 2015 to August 2015. 100 patients of ß-thalassemia major, aged 5-20 years were enrolled. After history and examination, serum calcium levels were determined through semi-automated analyzer Microlab 200. Those having levels less than 8.6 mg/dl were labelled as hypocalcemics. Sex, hypocalcemia in ß-thalassemia major, symptomatic hypocalcemia, presence of paresthesias & numbness, myalgias, hyperpigmentation and carpopedal spasm were variables. Frequency and percentage were calculated for all variables. Observed to expected frequencies of all variables were analyzed by chi-square goodness-of-fit test.Results: The frequency of hypocalcemia in ß-thalassemia major was 49/100 (49%), including 25 boys and 24 girls. The frequency of symptomatic hypocalcemia in ß-thalassemia major was 15/49 (30.61%). Paresthesias & numbness was present in 7/49 (14.29%) cases, hyperpigmentation in 6/49 (12.24%), myalgias in 3/49 (6.12%) and carpopedal spasm in 2/49 (4.08%) cases. The frequency of hypocalcemia in ß-thalassemia major and frequency of symptomatic hypocalcemia were higher in our sample than expected for the population. The frequency of paresthesia & numbness and of carpopedal spasm were similar while that of hyperpigmentation and myalgias were lower than expected.Conclusion: Hypocalcemia in ß-thalassemia major is very prevalent and mostly asymptomatic and chronic, therefore calcium levels of such patients should be periodically assessed and calcium supplementation advised where necessary.
Salva Shah, Adeel Basharat, Maheen Shah, Muhammad Marwat, Mohtasim Billah, Syed Mukhtar Ali. (2018) FREQUENCY, DISTRIBUTION AND PRESENTATION OF HYPOCALCEMIA IN BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR, Gomal Journal of Medical Sciences , Volume 16, Issue 1.
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