Effect of Deferiprone Iron Chelator on Serum Zinc and Copper in Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia Patients

Background: Transfusion dependent thalassemic (TDT) patients are required frequent infusion of blood and chelating agent to survive. Chelating agent changes serum zinc, also copper quantity in TDT sufferer. For identifying the effect of Deferiprone (DFP) iron chelator on serum zinc, copper level in patients of transfusion dependent thalassemia. Objective: To notice the efficacy of Deferiprone (DFP) on serum zinc, also copper level in transfusion related thalassemic sufferers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka between September 2017 to February 2019. (Thirty) patients of TDT, age ranged between 5-40 year were comprised in the survey category. Similar 30 physically fit individual were taken for standard. Every individual was preferred from outpatient Department of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka. Serum zinc was calculated by spectrophotometric method and serum copper and ferritin was calculated by colorimetric method. Statistical analysis was done by independent sample t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient test and Chi-square test. Results: Mean serum zinc value was non-significantly (p>0.05) low, mean serum copper level was non-significantly (p>0.05) high in study group contrasted to control. Constantly, Zn/Cu ratio was non-significantly (p>0.05) low and serum ferritin level was significantly (p<0.001) high in study groups contrasted to control. Anew, in study group 3.3% TDT suffers from hypozincemia and 13.3% TDT suffers from hypercupremia. Additionally, serum zinc was negatively and serum copper value correspond positively with serum ferritin level. Furthermore, both serum zinc and copper values were positively correspond with time span of chelating agent therapy. Entire correlations were statistically non-significant. Conclusion: This study might possibly remarkable that serum zinc level was low, copper value was high in TDT sufferers taking DFP medicine. Thus, earlier identification of these micronutrient changes might be useful for the specialist to avoid adverse effect of changes of this micronutrient level in TDT patients taking DFP iron chelation. JAFMC Bangladesh, Vol-22, No-1, June 2026: 38-41