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