What type of study is this?

This is a Potential cohort study study.

September 10, 2025Open Access

Impact of Pretransfusion Hemoglobin and Ferritin Levels on Growth and Clinical Parameters in Children with Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia Major

Key Points

Growth failure is more common in adolescents with transfusion-dependent thalassemia major, and serum ferritin levels were linked to this issue.
Mean pretransfusion hemoglobin levels under 8 g/dL were prevalent in older children, showing a significant relationship with short stature.
Anthropometric measurements were taken over one year, documenting height, weight, and head circumference to assess growth patterns.
Monitoring serum ferritin is critical as elevated levels adversely affect growth in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Thalassemia major, a severe form of thalassemia, is marked by inherited defects in haemoglobin (Hb) production, leading to anemia and potential growth retardation without regular blood transfusions. Objective: This study evaluated the growth patterns and the association between mean serum ferritin levels and growth in children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia major. Methods: The Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh Hospital, GMC Jammu, hosted this potential cohort study for duration of 1 year, from November 1, 2021, to October 31, 2022. A total of 125 transfusion-dependent thalassemia major patients aged 1–16 years were included. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and head circumference) were taken at baseline and every 3 months, compared with reference growth standards. Patients were grouped based on mean Hb levels before transfusion: <8 g/dL and ≥8 g/dL. Data on leukocyte count, platelet count, serum ferritin, and other biochemical parameters were collected. SPSS software was used to carry out the statistical analysis. Quantitative data were presented as means ± standard deviation or median with interquartile range, while categorical variables were shown as percentages. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used to verify normality. In addition to Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables, parametric (independent t -test and analysis of variance) and nonparametric (Mann–Whitney test) tests were employed. P <0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: Among patients, 25 had short stature, while 72 (65.6%) had heights between the 3 rd and 50 th percentiles. Twenty patients (16%) were severely underweight. Higher proportions of patients aged 11–16 years had mean pretransfusion Hb <8 g/dL, with short stature more common in this group. Mean serum ferritin in patients with short stature was significantly higher (6432.32 ng/mL, P = 0.0004). Conclusion: Growth failure in transfusion-dependent thalassemia major worsens with age, especially in adolescents. Elevated serum ferritin levels negatively impact growth, highlighting the need for monitoring iron overload.

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Cite This Study

Bhat et al. (Fri,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/68c193e99b7b07f3a0617d77 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.4103/jss.jss_122_25

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