Zinc status in beta-thalassemia major

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Zinc is one of the most important minerals incorporated in the enzymes of the human body. Zinc may be deficient in patients with the β-thalassemia major with possible adverse outcomes. AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the serum zinc status in β-thalassemia major patients in Duhok city. PATIENTS, MATERIAL, AND METHODS: In this case–control study, 70 children with β-thalassemia major (2–12 years) of both genders were enrolled and were matched with 70 apparently healthy children for age and sex. A venous blood sample was obtained from each child for the measurement of serum zinc and serum ferritin levels at Jin Center in Duhok City between January 1 and June 30, 2017. RESULTS: The mean serum zinc in the thalassemia patients (74.79 [±25.14] µg/dl) was significantly lower compared to the control group (93.61 [±15.12] µg/dl), (p = 0.0001). The serum zinc was not significantly different in thalassemia patients in terms of age, disease onset, gender, height, weight, body mass index, amount of blood transfusion, and type of chelation. There was a statistically significant correlation between serum zinc levels with a serum ferritin level of patients. CONCLUSION: The study showed that thalassemia patients have significantly lower serum levels of zinc with no relation to medical factors.