Growth Failure in β-Thalassemia major Patients Undergoing Repeated Transfusions

Objective: To determine the effects of iron overload on Height, Body Mass Index (BMI), Hemoglobin and Serum Ferritin levels in beta thalassemia major patients undergoing regular blood transfusion. Study Design: Case control study. Place and Duration of Study: It was carried out at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad in collaboration with Jamila Sultana Foundation Rawalpindi, Thalassemia House Rawalpindi and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad from 5 January 2010 to 5 December 2014. Materials and Methods: Total 300 individuals were included in the study out of which 200 were Beta thalassemia major patients and 100 were controlled matched for age and gender with the thalassemic group.They were further divided into 4 groups of