Study of vitamin D in patients of beta thalassemia major at tertiary care hospital

Background: Beta-thalassemia major is a genetic disorder with marked deficiency of beta-globin production. Affected children require a critical need for regular blood transfusion which usually results in iron overload and secondary bone-related complications. Vitamin D is an important factor in bone turnover. Their levels are typically below normal in thalassemia patients. In this study, the intention was to estimate the serum levels of vitamin D, in patients with beta-thalassemia major and their correlation with the duration and frequency of transfusion. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 65 beta-thalassemia major patients aged 5-15 years. Serum levels of vitamin D was determined and analysed. Findings: A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (55%) was found among the beta-thalassemia patients. The levels of vitamin D decreased with a significant rise in transfusion duration and frequency. Conclusion: Since prolonged transfusion is one of the criteria in this study among the patients with beta-thalassemia, assessment of vitamin D levels should be checked routinely among these patients, and interventions to improve vitamin D status may be necessary to avoid bone complications.