A study on transfusion-transmitted infections and other complications amongst children with beta-thalassaemia major attending a tertiary care institution in Kolkata

Background: Chronic blood disorders such as beta-thalassaemia major require continuous blood transfusions, which results in complications such as transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs), iron overload, skeletal deformities, endocrinal and cardiac and hepatic disorders. This study aimed at assessing proportion of TTIs, other complications and factors associated with their occurrence amongst children with beta-thalassaemia major. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst children with beta-thalassaemia majo attending a tertiary care institution in Kolkata One hundred and ninety two children were selected amongst participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Parents of study participants were interviewed using pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured schedule. Results: TTIs were evident in 8.3% of the study participants. Amongst them, hepatitis C, malaria and hepatitis B were present amongst 3.6%, 2.6% and 2.1%, respectively. No cases of human immunodeficiency virus infection and syphilis were found. Elevated serum ferritin levels (53.6%), Chipmunk facies (5.2%), hypothyroidism (2.1%), cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus (0.5% each) were noted. A significant association was observed between iron chelation therapy and serum ferritin level amongst these children (P = 0.042). Conclusions: Various transfusion-related complications are still prevalent amongst children suffering from beta-thalassaemia major.