Correlation of anthropometric measurements with pretransfusion haemoglobin in transfusion dependent thalassemia major children

Background: The etio-pathogenesis of growth failure in transfusion dependent thalassemia major (TDTM) children is mainly because of chronic anemia, iron overload and endocrine complications. Aim was to determine the association between anthropometric measurements with pre-transfusion haemoglobin in TDTM children. Methods: Present cross-sectional study included total 55 children between 5-18 years of age who were diagnosed as TDTM. Mean pre transfusion hemoglobin of last 1 year was obtained from previous medical records. Anthropometric measurements like weight in kg and height in cm measured while body mass index (BMI) was calculated using standard formula in each patient. Weight for age, height for age, and BMI were plotted on WHO 2006 and Indian academy of paediatrics 2015 combined growth charts in terms of percentile. Data was analysed statistically. Results: Total 55 children of TDTM between 5-18 years of age were studied. The mean age was 10.42(4.07) years. The mean weight (kg), height (cm) and BMI was 23.76 (7.5), 123.94 (18.13) and 15.24 (1.76) respectively. Fifty-one (92.73%) children were having BMI less than 3rd centile (Underweight). Forty (93.02%) and 11 (91.66%) children between age group of 5-10 years and more than 10 years were underweight and was statistically significant (p<0.05). Total 50 (94.33%) children were having mean pre transfusion hemoglobin below 9 gm/dl who were underweight which was statistically significant. Conclusions: Low pre-transfusion hemoglobin is one of the risk factors for growth failure in children with TDTM and it should be maintained above 9 gm/dl may for normal growth in children with TDTM.