CORRELATION OF N-TERMINAL PRO-BRAIN NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE (NT PRO BNP) WITH SERUM FERRITIN AND NUMBER OF BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS IN THALASSEMIA PATIENTS-A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: Thalassemia is a genetic disorder of globin chain production in which there is an imbalance between alpha globin and beta globin chain production. Thalassemia patients require frequent blood transfusions to maintain adequate tissue oxygenation, which can cause a state of iron overload. NT pro BNP is a sensitive biomarker to detect cardiac iron overload. Our objective of this study was to estimate the level of NTproBNP in beta-thalassemia patients and to find out the correlation of NT pro BNP with serum ferritin levels and the number of blood transfusions.Methods: 50 thalassemic patients aged below 18 y with no known cardiac comorbidities were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The correlation between the levels of NT-pro BNP with serum ferritin and number of blood transfusions and chelation therapy was measured.Results: This study demonstrated that the levels of NT Pro BNP were elevated in thalassemia patients with a positive correlation with serum ferritin values and the number of blood transfusions which the patients received.Conclusion: This Study also concluded that NT Pro BNP can be used as a biochemical marker used to detect early stages of cardiac failure and also to identify patients going for heart failure, especially in resource-limited settings

CLINICO-HEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE OF NUTRITIONAL ANEMIA IN HOSPITALISED INFANTS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: Anemia is a serious global public health problem that particularly affects young children. As many as 67.1% children aged 6-59 mo surveyed suffered from anemia in 2019 and 65.5% in Karnataka, according to NFHS-5. Nutritional anemia is most common but preventable cause for anemia in children in developing countries. This is due to improper feeding habits, especially during the initiation of complementary foods. Hence the present study is to know the pattern of anemia in infants of age group between 6 mo to 12 mo and to assess the nutritional and other associated risk factors contributing to Anemia. Methods: This study was carried out in 193 children aged 6 mo to 12 mo admitted in our hospital. Detailed clinical evaluation and relevant laboratory investigations were done as per proforma. Results: In our study majority were of age group 6 to 9 mo (52.8%). 40.4% of mothers of our study infants were anemic during pregnancy and 9.3% were blood transfused. Majority (53.4%) were exclusively breastfed. 45.6% were started on complementary feeding at 4 to 6 mo age.17.6% were moderately wasted and 9.3% of infants were severely wasted. There was a significant association between severity of anemia and mother’s anemia, inclusion of cow’s milk in diet, adequacy of complementary feeding, and inclusion of formula feeds (p<0.05). Conclusion: Nutritional anemia is most common cause of anemia in childhood, especially in developing countries like India. Parents and caregiver need awareness regarding the effect, causes of anemia and how to prevent it