Evaluation of glycemic abnormalities in children and adolescents with β-thalassemia major

Abstract Background The quality of life B-thalassemia major (β-TM) patients has improved with the use frequent blood transfusions. However, this leads to chronic iron overload its sequelae, as prediabetes and diabetes mellitus. This study aimed assess insulin resistance glucose abnormalities in a sample Benha, Egypt. Results case-control included 40 on regular transfusion chelation. Their ages ranged from 8 16 years, 30 normal age sex-matched controls. Thorough clinical examination was performed including weight (kg), height (m), body mass index (BMI) (kg/m 2 ), liver spleen size. Laboratory investigations were done form complete count, enzymes, serum ferritin, fasting plasma insulin, fasting, h postprandial glucose. Insulin (IR) calculated using Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA-IR) index. found 27.5% thalassemic patients; 18.2% them had diabetes, 72.7% prediabetics (with impaired glycemia), 9.1% level. increased significantly duration, glucose, (ROC). curve analysis showed that duration transfusion, could predict at certain cut-off point. Conclusion Our data show HOMA-IR can be used detect β-TM long-term transfusions, especially high ferritin enzymes.