A study of growth, puberty and endocrine functions in children with beta thalassemia major in a tertiary care hospital of south Rajasthan

Abstract

Aim: Endocrinopathies are common in patients with thalassemia major (TM) and affect their quality of life. Our aim was to evaluate the frequency of growth retardation and endocrine complications in these patients. Materials and Methods: 226 patients aged 3-18 years with Thalassemia Major were evaluated for height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and pubertal stage. Blood tests for endocrine function, and tanner staging for pubertal development were done. Results: Out of 226 children of beta thalassemia major, males were 51.3% (116) and females were 48.7% (110). There was no significant gender difference in thalessemia patients in our study. The mean BMI was 16.61 kg/m2 with SD 5.34 and 16.26 kg/m2 with SD 2.91 for age group of 5-10 years and 11-18 years respectively. BMI of both the age group was almost similar showing increased incidence of under nutrition as the disease and its complication evolutes. There was significant growth delay present in thalassemia patient (p value