PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION IN PEDIATRIC β-THALASSEMIA MAJOR PATIENTS ADMITTED TO A TERTIARY CARE CENTER

Background: Thalassemia is a group of hereditary hemoglobinopathies having varied clinical presentations and complications. Malnutrition is commonly seen to affect the pediatric patients of β-thalassemia major. Aims and objectives: To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in the pediatric patients of β-thalassemia major. Materials and methods: A record based retrospective study was performed involving122 β-thalassemia major patients between 1 to 12 years of age, receiving regular blood transfusions with or without iron chelation therapy. The anthropometric data were analyzed using WHO growth standards. Results: 30.23% of the total patients were underweight, 9.84% were wasted and 4.92% were wasted and stunted.Patients in the age group of 11 to 12 years seem to be most affected. Conclusion: The prevalence of underweight in pediatric β-thalassemia major is 34.43%. The prevalence of acute malnutrition is 9.84% and that of chronic malnutrition is 4.92%.