SOME CARDIAC AND PULMONARY FUNCTIONS ABNORMALil"IES IN CHILDREN WITH BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR

Abstract

Thalassmias are a heterogenous group of heretable hypochromic anemias of various degrees of severity.

Thalassemias is the most common type of chronic hemolytic anemia in Mediterranean countries. It consists of several genetically determined disorders clue to unequal synthesis of hemoglobin chains that causes ineffective; erythropoiesis.

Thalassemias have several complications but the main cause of death is still heart failure caused by hypoxia, cardiac hemosiderosis and hyperdynamic circulatory overload.

The aim of this study is to assess some cardiac and pulmonary changes in patients with beta-thalassemia major. The study was conducted on 25 beta-thalassemia major patients selected from the pediatric clinic of Benha University hospital. Their ages ranges from 5.4 to 15 years. 25 apparently healthy children age and sex matched

are stucliccl as a control group.

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Echo-Doppler was done to all patients where it can detect early cardiac complications of beta-thalassemia major and demonstrated that cardiac dilatation occurs in thalassemics as indicated by increased LVEDD and LVESD. LVEDD was increased more frequently.