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Serum Micronutrients and Antioxidant Levels in Children With Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia

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Abstract

Objectives

To estimate serum zinc, copper, magnesium and antioxidant levels in children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT).

Methods

Cross-sectional study, enrolling children with TDT aged 3–14 years and age-matched healthy children without thalassemia. Serum zinc, copper, magnesium and total antioxidant capacity were estimated by direct colorimetric method and ELISA, respectively.

Results

72 children (24 females; mean (SD) age 8.5 (3.2) years) were enrolled. Mean (SD) values of micronutrients in the study group and control group children were: serum zinc [89.4 (26.9) vs 93.5 (41.6) mg/dL; P=0.496], copper [118.3 (36.6) vs 123.3 (29.8) mg/L; P=0.133], magnesium [1.9 (0.3) vs 2.0 (0.2) mg/dL; P=0.015]. Total oxidant capacity level was not different in both the groups [median (range) 124.8 (16.0–501.7) vs 146.8 (14.0–641.7) mg/mL; P=0.605]. 24 (33%) children with TDT had low serum zinc levels (<65 mg/dL), and 31 (43%) had high serum copper levels (≥121 mg/L).

Conclusions

Children with TDT were found to have significantly lower magnesium levels compared to healthy children.

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Acknowledgement

Dr Rajesh Kumar Meena, Associate Professor, Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, for his input in manuscript preparation and data analysis. Contributors: SR: conceptualized the study, did literature review, drafted the manuscript; YV: screened patients and collected data; DS: supervised the study, helped in drafting manuscript; SS: supervised all biochemical testing and tabulating the results; MK: supervized, provided inputs in drafting. All authors contributed in the final preparation of the manuscript.

Funding

Funding; None

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, Geeta Colony, Delhi, 110 031, India

    Sanghamitra Ray, Yachika Vashisht, Diganta Saikia & Manish Kumar

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, Geeta Colony, Delhi, India

    Shikha Sharma

Authors
  1. Sanghamitra Ray
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  2. Yachika Vashisht
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  3. Diganta Saikia
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  4. Shikha Sharma
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  5. Manish Kumar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sanghamitra Ray.

Ethics declarations

Ethic clearance: IEC, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya; No. 85/16263, dated Nov 28, 2020.

Competing interests: None stated.

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Ray, S., Vashisht, Y., Saikia, D. et al. Serum Micronutrients and Antioxidant Levels in Children With Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia. Indian Pediatr 60, 1005–1007 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-023-3064-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-023-3064-1

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