European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: ß-thalassemia is one of the most common autosomal recessive disorder ranging from clinically silent heterogenous thalassemia minor to severe transfusion dependent thalassemia major. Blood transfusion is the primary way of treating thalassemia, but it leads to iron overload and results in serious damage to various organs by depositing in the liver, heart, and various other endocrine glands along with endocrine organ failure. Iron induced liver injury leads to high serum ferritin levels and thus in turn, accounts for the abnormal lipid profile. The purpose of this study is to investigate the lipid profile in ß- thalassemia major patients and their correlation with serum ferritin levels. Methods: 75 ß-thalassemia patients of both sexes ranging from 1-18 years, receiving multiple blood transfusions were included in the present study. Blood samples were withdrawn, analysed for serum ferritin levels and lipid profile and their correlation were assessed. Results: Out of 75 ß-thalassemia major patients, 64% were male and 72% were Sikh by religion. The mean no. of blood transfusions was 128.26±52.89 with average dose and duration of iron chelation was 1177.63±438.47 mg/day and 7.9±3.7 years respectively. The mean value of serum ferritin was 2788.05±1799.22 ng/ml. Mean HDL levels were on the lower side with an average of 21.73±8.56 mg/dl and its correlation with serum ferritin was negative (r=-0.635). The average value of serum total cholesterol and LDL were 116.1±46.15 mg/dl and 59.95±16.72 mg/dl respectively. The mean triglyceride level (TG) was on the higher side with an average of 202.87±91.57 mg/dl and its correlation with serum ferritin was positive (r=+0.845). Conclusion: Raised serum ferritin levels showed low levels of HDL and high levels of total cholesterol, LDL and serum triglycerides. Dyslipidemia in these children can lead to increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease