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

Background: Growth failure is an important complication of β-Thalassemia major in pediatric patients. Aims and objectives: To estimate the prevalence of short stature in the pediatric patients of β-thalassemia major. Materials and methods: 122 β-thalassemia major patients between 1 to 12 years of age, receiving regular blood transfusions with or without iron chelation therapy were enrolled in this record based study. The data was analyzed using WHO growth standards. Results: 34.43% of the patients were of short stature. 59.52% of the short stature patients were underweight. The maximum number of short stature patients was seen in the age group of 11 to 12 years. Conclusion: The prevalence of short stature in β-thalassemia major is 34.43%. Patients in the age group of 11 to 12 years seem to be most affected. Malnutrition is more prevalent in short stature than in normal stature thalassemia patients.