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Effects of zinc supplementation on linear growth in beta‐thalassemia (A new approach)
Author(s) -
Arcasoy A.,
Çavdar A.,
Cin Ş.,
Erten J.,
Babacan E.,
Gözdasoglu S.,
Akar N.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.2830240203
Subject(s) - zinc , medicine , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , linear growth , thalassemia , percentile , adjuvant therapy , hemoglobinopathy , gastroenterology , pediatrics , endocrinology , micronutrient , hemolytic anemia , chemistry , chemotherapy , mathematics , pathology , statistics , organic chemistry
Abstract Linear growth was evaluated in 32 patients with beta‐thalassemia major. At the beginning of the study of 40.6% of the patients were below the 10th percentile with biochemical evidence of zinc deficiency. Effects of zinc supplementation on growth velocity (height) were assessed in a controlled manner. Twenty‐one children received oral zinc sulphate for a period of 1 to 7 years (15 early‐ and 6 late‐supplemented cases), while the remaining 11 thalassemics were maintained only on conventional transfusion therapy. The mean height velocity of early‐zinc supplemented children was significantly greater than that of normal children ( P < 0.01). An increase in height was also observed in the patients who received delayed zinc retardation. The present study demonstrated that zinc deficiency is one of the factors responsible for retarded linear growth in beta‐thalassemia major. Only the patients who received zinc supplementation showed an acceleration of growth in height. Administration of zinc could, therefore, be considered as an effective adjuvant therapy in homozygous betathalassemia.