Study of Insulin Hormone Level and β-Cell Function in Children with β-Thalassemia Major

Background: Diabetes and Impaired Glucose Tolerance are amajor complication of iron overload in patients with beta thalassemia major.

Aim: To study the serum level of Insulin hormone and beta cell function in β- Thalassemia major patients.

Methods: This study was carried out on 50 children that were divided into:- Group (1): thirty child with beta thalassemia with age ranged between (5 to 10 years), Group (2): Twenty apparently healthy matched age children were also included as control group. Both groups were subjected to history taking, full clinical examination, anthropometric measures, laboratory investigation that included:-, complete blood picture, Serum iron, serum ferriten,fasting serum glucose, 2h postprandial serum glucose, fasting serum insulin by ELISA(Sandwish assay procedure.) IRI, BFI.

Results: There was highly statistical significant difference between the patient and control groups in the insulin resistance index (IRI), but there was decrease in beta cell function index (BFI) in patients group with no significantdifference.

Conclusion: Thalassemic child is at risk of IR which is responsible for abnormalities in glucose metabolism so proper management and regular follow up is necessary to early diagnosis and prevention of complications.