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ISSN 2063-5346
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Role of Zinc Supplementation in Improving Bone Density in Late Childhood Patients with Beta Thalassemia Major

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Ahmed M Ali, Mohamed El Kalioby, Abdelmoneim Khashana, Marwa Azab Azab, Samar M. Elfiky, Hesham El Sayed
» doi: 10.31838/ecb/2023.12.si6.569

Abstract

Beta thalassemia is a category of recessively inherited hemoglobin abnormalities that were initially identified by Cooley and Lee and are defined by faulty synthesis of the -globin chain. Severe anemia brought on by the homozygous condition need frequent blood transfusions. A range of problems, including endocrine, metabolic, skeletal, and growth abnormalities are being reported as a result of increased iron storage in the body, despite the fact that such therapies extend the patient's life. Aim: To improve the bone mass in patients with thalassemia through assessing the effect of zinc supplementation on bone density. Patients and Methods: Eighty children with beta thalassemia who also had low bone mineral density (BMD) and low serum zinc were included in a randomized controlled experiment. The patients were then randomly divided into 2 groups, one of which got zinc supplements for 12 months while the other group received no supplements. At the conclusion of the trial, BMD and serum zinc levels were once again evaluated. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan was used to assess BMD. Result: There was no statistically significant difference in the supplement group and non-supplement group regarding gender, age, serum ferritin, hemoglobin level, serum zinc (69.3±10/ 73.1±8) [p-value 0.07] and BMD-z score ( -2.02±-0.5/ -2.1±-0.6) [p-value 0.4]. After 12 months; the zinc supplemented group showed a statistically significant elevation of serum zinc level compared to the non-supplemented group (86.8±11.3/78.7±11.5) [p-value 0.001] respectively. Also the zinc supplemented group showed a significant increase in BMD - Z score (-1.6±-0.5) compared to the control group (-2.1±-0.6) [p -value 0.001]. Conclusion: In children with Beta-thalassemia, a zinc supplement is crucial for increasing BMD and avoiding osteoporosis.

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