@article{Shah_2015, title={ASSESSMENT OF SERUM CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS LEVELS AMONG TRANSFUSION -DEPENDENT BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR PATIENTS ON CHELATION THERAPY}, volume={29}, url={https://www.jpmi.org.pk/index.php/jpmi/article/view/1732}, abstractNote={<p><strong>Objectives: to determine the levels of calcium and phosphorus in transfu-sion-dependant β-thalassemia major patients who were on chelation therapy being followed at Fatimid Foundation, Peshawar.<br />Methodology: This study included 100 β-thalassemia major patients who were diagnosed by Hb electrophoresis and were receiving regular blood transfusions for anemia and chelation therapy for prevention of iron over -load related complications. Detailed history and examination including height and weight were recorded on pre-designed questionnaire and blood samples were taken for measurement of serum calcium and phosphorus. These tests were performed on "Microlab 200" via commercially available kits. Data was <br />analysed using SPSS version 20.<br />Results: Frequency of hypocalcemia was 49% in our study. Hyperphosphatae -mia was associated with 53% of hypocalcemic patients (Hypoparathyroidism was suspected in 26 patients). Mean serum calcium was 8.46±0.94mg/dl while mean phosphate level was 5.33±0.77mg/dl in the subjects. Mean age of pos-itive cases was 13.84 ± 3.98 years.<br />Conclusion: Low serum calcium is very prevalent in transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia major patients in our set up possibly due to poor chelation as was confirmed by our study where 49% of patients had hypocalcemia. Hy-pocalcemia in iron overload patients is mostly chronic and asymptomatic.</strong></p>}, number={3}, journal={Journal of Postgraduate Medical Institute}, author={Shah, Salva}, year={2015}, month={Dec.} }