Evaluation Zinc, Copper and Iron Concentrations in Children with Beta- Thalassemia Major in Diyala Province

Abstract

Some previous studies were inducted condition of a deficiency of zinc and its relation with a change in serum concentration of copper and iron in the thalassemic patients. The goal of our study was to evaluated zinc, copper, and iron serum level in children whom have beta-thalassemia major. In this study, we took 52 cases all of them were children between one year to15 years. Where 41 cases have beta thalassemia major and 11 cases are control group. The patients were covered by Al-Batol hospital and they have been evaluated for zinc, copper, and iron serum levels. The determination of serum for zinc and copper were achieved by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Where serum iron was measured by cobas integra 400 plus. The study was done from August 2015, to June 2016. Serum zinc level was lower in thalassemia patients (49.90 ± 38.13μg/d) than control group (65.00 ± 12.03μg/dl). Comparing the level of copper in patients (101.57 ± 37.03μg/dl) and controls (150.77± 37.03μg/dl), we found the copper levels in patients was lower. The level of serum iron (32.81 ± 9.24 umole/L) on beta thalassemia major, which was statistically higher in comparing to the controls cases (9.33±3.38 umole/L). Serum glucose level was higher in thalassemic patients 5.10 ± 0.08 mmole/L than control group 4.95 ±0.85. Thalassemic patients who had less than70 μg/dl of zinc concentration (hypozincemia) were (82.9%). Thalassemic patients, who had less than 70 μg/dl copper concentration, were (17.07%). The correlation was not significant between zinc and copper of serum concentration and serum level of iron There was no significant relation between serum zinc level of thalassemic patients with weight, glucose and number of blood transfusions (P=0.1). However, there was a significant relation between serum zinc level of thalassemic patients with age and duration time of blood transfusion (P=0.04).This study showed that thalassemic patients commonly have zinc deficiency. While, copper deficiency is found in seven cases. Additional valuation is recommended in this aspect.