Early Detection of Premature Atherosclerosis in β-Thalassemia Patients by Measuring Carotid Intima-Media Thickness

Abstract

he thalassemias represent the most common monogenetic disorder worldwide. Beta-thalassemia is a group of inherited hemoglobin disorders ranging in severity from clinically silent heterozygous beta-thalassemia to severe transfusion-dependent thalassemia major. The clinical manifestations are diverse, ranging from absence of symptoms to profound fatal anemias. It is a significant publichealth problem in Egypt where over 1–5 million newborns are expected to be affected with this disorder, with carrier rate ranges from 9–10% and it is considered the most common chronic hemolytic anemia.