Zinc Status and its Correlation with Basic Parameters in Transfusion Dependent Thalassemic Patients: A Pakistani Perspective

Background: β-thalassemia is an autosomal hemoglobinopathy with inconsistent universal distribution. Among patients with thalassemia diverse non-siderotic complications distinctly influence the attribute of life, including zinc deficiency due to varied etiologies. The objective of the present study was to determine zinc levels in patients with β-thalassemia major and its correlation with maternal characteristics, hematological parameters, liver enzymes, serum ferritin, duration of chelation and number of transfusions among Pakistani patients. Patients and Methods: Seventy-five β-thalassemia major patients on desferrioxamine were enrolled from August 2010 to July 2012. CBC, liver function tests, serum ferritin, HbsAg and Anti-HCV were evaluated. Zinc level was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The mean age of patients was 10.57±3.5 years. Forty one (54.7%) and 34(45.3%) patients were males and females respectively. The frequency of zinc deficiency was 24%. We established positive correlation between zinc deficiency and longer duration of chelation (P<0.001) and also with anemia (P<0.001). No correlation could be established with other parameters. Conclusion: Our study revealed that hypozincemia is not unusual in β-thalassemic patients on desferrioxamine. We propose zinc levels should be regularly measured primarily in anemic patients with long duration of chelation. Keywords: β-thalassemia major, zinc deficiency, desferrioxamine.