Evaluation of Calcium and Vitamin D Levels in Serum in A Sample of Thalassemia Patients from Baghdad

Background: Beta thalassemia patients require lifelong blood transfusions that can lead to iron accumulation in tissues and a decreased vitamin D synthesis. This study determined vitamin D and calcium levels in thalassemia patients in Baghdad, Iraq.Methods: In 2023, 100 adult patients of 15-25 years of both sexes who were regularly diagnosed with thalassemia in Center for Genetic Hematology at Ibn al-Baladi Hospital in Rusafa- Baghdad, Iraq were enrolled. Serum 25-OH-vitamin D and calcium were levels were assessed. Totally, 50 blood samples were collected from thalassemia patients together with 50 blood samples from healthy people as control for comparison.Results: Vitamin D level was low in thalassemia patients. There was a significant difference in the decrease in vitamin D level between men and women (p=0.008). Females had a significantly higher calcium deficiency than males. The serum calcium level was low, and no significant difference was noticed between sexes (p=0.28). When comparing thalassemia rate, a significant difference was visible in vitamin D level (p=0.002). For calcium level, the difference between two groups was significant (p=0.01).Conclusion: A significant difference was observed for vitamin D and calcium deficiency among thalassemia patients of both sexes when compared to healthy people.