Nutritional Status of Thalassemia Children: An Observational Study

Introduction: Thalassemia poses a major health burden in Bangladesh, causing significant pediatric morbidity. Its chronic effects and treatment complications predispose children to malnutrition, worsening clinical outcomes. However, local data on these specific nutritional challenges remain scarce. Objective: To assess the nutritional status of children with thalassemia attending a tertiary care hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at 250 Beded General Hospital, Jhenaidah, Bangladesh, from January 2023 to December 2024. A total of 67 children with confirmed thalassemia were enrolled through purposive sampling. Data collection involved interviews, exams, and anthropometry. Nutritional status was assessed using WHO growth standards (weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age z-scores) and analyzed in SPSS v23.0. Results: Among 67 children, malnutrition prevalence was high: 41.8% were underweight, 38.8% stunted, and 32.8% thin. Transfusion-dependent children demonstrated significantly poorer nutritional status than non-transfusion-dependent counterparts (p<0.05). Frequent transfusions (<1-month intervals) and irregular chelation therapy were significantly associated with higher malnutrition rates (p<0.05). Stunting increased progressively with age, affecting 53.8% of those above 10 years (p=0.041). Conclusion: This study reveals high malnutrition prevalence among Bangladeshi children with thalassemia, significantly associated with transfusion dependence, frequent transfusions, and poor chelation adherence. Integrating routine nutritional assessment and counseling into standard care protocols is urgently needed to improve growth outcomes and quality of life. Medicine Today 2026, Vol.38 (2): 223-227