Levels of Calcium, Corrected Calcium, Alkaline Phosphatase and Inorganic Phosphorus in Patients’ Serum with β-Thalassemia Major on Subcutaneous Deferoxamine

Prevalence of β-thalassemia is high amongst the genetic disorders of hemoglobin synthesis. Frequency of β-thalassemia trait is about 5-6% in Pakistan. β-thalassemia major is characterized by severe hemolytic anemia that requires regular blood transfusion. Life expectancy of these patients is strikingly prolonged with repeated blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy but consequences associated with secondary hemochromatosis are still a challenge [1,2]. A series of complications including osteopenia, osteoporosis, scoliosis, spinal deformities, nerve compression and spontaneous fractures are frequently seen in transfusion dependent thalassemics [3].