Background: Beta-thalassaemias are a group of hereditary human diseases caused by more than 200 mutations of the human β-globin gene. Regular blood transfusions and secondary iron overload make thalassemic erythrocytes prone to peroxidative injury.
Aim: to evaluate the extent of lipid peroxidation and study the state of antioxidant enzyme in thalassemic children, to assess oxidative status in β- thalassemia major patients.
Patients and Methods: this is a case control study conducted on forty patients previously diagnosed as β-thalassemia major and forty healthy age and sex matched children as control group .The following investigation were done for all children; complete blood picture, reticulocytic count, serum ferritin level and hepatitis B and C markers. Measurement of lipoperoxides ; malondialdehyde (MDA), analysis of antioxidant enzymes ; superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Vitamin E levels.
Results: There were significant difference in oxidative status values between cases and controls. Increased MDA level was ranging (2.3 – 4.6 nmol/ml) in thalessemic patients comparing to control (p value