Authors

1 Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Tikrit University.

2 Kirkuk Children Hospital, Kirkuk Health Directorate.

Abstract

Background: Beta-thalassemia major regarded as one of the major health problems in endemic regions as the Mediterranean basin, part of North and West Africa and South East Asia. Endocrine complication occur in major beta thalassemia due to excessive iron accumulation in endocrine glands that result from frequent blood transfusion and chelation therapy that caused dysfunction in their hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The aim of the study is to determine the level of serum Leptin and to determine the relation of leptin level with ferritin level in children with beta-thalassemia major. Patients & Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in Kirkuk City from January 2018 to March 2018 on 60 patients (30 female and 30 male) with beta thalassemia major and 30 age and sex matched healthy control (17 female and 13 male). Serum Leptin and ferritin levels were measured for both group by using commercial diagnostic kit. Results: The result of the present study showed that serum level of leptin hormone in children with beta thalassemia major less than control subjects but not statistically significant. While the differences in the serum ferritin level was significantly higher in children with beta –thalassemia major as compare with control subjects. Conclusion: Children with beta thalassemia major had a low level of leptin hormone than control subjects but not significant of same age and gender. Children with beta thalassemia major had a higher serum ferritin level than control subjects. Children with beta thalassemia major had a higher leptin level in female than male.

Keywords