Prevalence of Peripheral Neuropathy in Children with Beta Thalassemia Major

Abstract

Background: Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that results in abnormal hemoglobin structure. It has many complications; most is related to overstimulation of bone marrow, ineffective erythropoiesis, and iron overload from blood transfusions. Peripheral neuropathy one of neurological complications that is seen in adolescents and adults with thalassemia major. Objectives: this study the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in thalassemia major and its relation to different sociodemographic, clinical, electrophysiological and laboratory Findings. Materials and Methods: a Case control study was conducted in hereditary blood disease center in Babylon Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children and Al-Imam Al-Sadiq teaching Hospital, in Hilla city/ Iraq through the period of August. 2022 till August 2023. Patients with beta thalassemia major (51 patients) and control group (51 children) were randomly selected with age range from 4 to 18 years. Each of the study group will be assessed clinically by careful history and full examination, blood samples were taken for laboratory tests, and then the electrophysiological test was done. Results: In this study, there are six patients (12%) had peripheral neuropathy by clinical examination and NCS, while forty-five patients (88%) do not have peripheral neuropathy yet. The age of patient with beta thalassemia major ranged between (4-18) years with mean (12.2 ± 2.1) years, age of thalassemia patients who had peripheral neuropathy ranged (12-18) years with mean (15.8 ± 1.4) years, p-value = 0.021. Conclusion: Peripheral neuropathy was an anticipated future problem for patients with beta-thalassemia major increased serum ferritin levels, older age and decrease in hemoglobin level may cause mild changes in electrophysiological studies of motor nerves, and these changes may be early signs of future overt neuropathy.