Background: In Egypt, β-thalassemia is the commonest cause of
chronic hemolytic anemia, it considered as major public health
problem.
Methods: This study was a case control study included thirty -
thalassemia major children (from 4-18 years) and thirty age and sex
matched healthy children with total mean age (7.15). All children
were subjected to full medical history taking and full clinical
examination. Random blood samples were collected from patient and
control groups (5 ml fresh blood) for hematological parameters (CBC,
Reticulocyte count). Cholesterol, uric acid and glucose levels were
measured twice {laboratory by spectrophotometric method and
bedside test using strips of multi-function meter EasyTouch® GCU}.
Results: The main complaint of thalassemic children was pallor
followed by (diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal enlargement or cough)
followed by jaundice. Age at diagnosis was found to range from 9-48
months. Frequency of blood transfusion was found to be twice per
month (56.7%). Patients were treated with one of three types of iron
chelating agents (FPX®
, Desferal® and Exjade®
). Hemoglobin (Hb)
concentration, Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were decreased
significantly (p