TO STUDY THE EFFECT OF IRON LOAD ON PLASMA MINERALS AND HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN THALASSEMIA PATIIENTS

Ghulam Murtaza Mastoi[1a], , Zameer Ali Palh[2a]*, Khalid Hussain Lashari[2b] ,Anila Naz Soomro[2c] ,Khalida Faryal Almani[1b],Zulfiqar Ali Laghari[3] , Abdul Waheed Mastoi[1c] ,A.R Abbasi[2d]
Page No. 26-33

Thalassemias are genetic disorders that involve the decreased and effective production of
hemoglobin a molecule found inside all red blood cells (RBCs) that transport oxygen throughout
the body. There are two types of thalassemia, alpha-thalassemia and beta-thalassemia. Their names
describes which part of the hemoglobin molecule is affected, the alpha or the beta chain.
Thalassemia can cause ineffective production of RBCs and their destruction. As a result, people
with thalassemia often have a reduced number of RBCs in the bloodstream (anemia), In addition,
thalassemia can cause the morphological change in RBCs and the life of red blood cells reduces.
The destruction of RBCs occurs and iron released in the plasma.
Β-thalassemia is one of the commonest inherited Hemoglobin disorder in Pakistan. In a population
of nearly 130 million, in northern areas, 83% of the children suffering from refractory anemias
have β-thalassemia. Alpha thalassemia carrier frequency estimated by Hemoglobin Bart’s in cord
blood samples is 2.4% showing that both α and β-thalassemia are present in Pakistan.
Fifty blood samples of children (age 3-13 years) having thalassemia were selected for the study.
The serum was analyzed for the determination of the electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium,
chloride, magnesium and phosphorus). Plasma sodium and potassium were analyzed by flame
photometer, while calcium, chloride, magnesium and phosphorus were determined by the Merck
Assay kit.The aim of present study was to estimate the effect of iron load on plasma minerals
(sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorides and phosphorus) and hematological
parameters (RBC, WBC, Platelets, Hemoglobin, Neutrophills, Eosinophills, Basophiles,
Lymphocytes, Monocytes, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC) in thalassemia patients. This study
comprisedof children having thalassemia belonging to urban and rural areas of sindh province of
Pakistan.
Key words: Thalassemia, Malnutrition, Disease, Platelates