Dipangkar Hazarika1, Chao Rochek Buragohain2, Ananta Kumar Nath3, Pranabjit Biswanath4
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in children with thalassaemia
who were on regular blood transfusion.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Total 25 children were included in this retrospective study in the age group of 2-14 years with confirmed diagnosis of
thalassaemia syndrome. They were on regular blood transfusion every 3-4 weeks and they had serum ferritin >1000 μg/L
irrespective of chelation therapy. Serum level of calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase, serum ferritin and 25OH vitamin
D were estimated.
RESULTS
Out of 25 patients, 6 (24%) showed sufficient amount of vitamin D, 6 (24%) showed insufficiency, 10 (40%) showed deficiency
and 3 (12%) showed severe deficiency. Children with vitamin D deficiency showed high level of serum ferritin level. Severe
vitamin D deficiency was seen when number of transfusions were >20.14 children showed abnormal vitamin D level when
their serum ferritin level was between 1000-2000 ng/dL. There was no association between use of iron-chelating agent,
duration of their use and nutritional status with vitamin D level.
CONCLUSION
In regularly transfused thalassaemic children, vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency were common and they need frequent
monitoring for early detection and management.
