Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - National Institute of Laser Science (NILES) - Department of Laser Applications in Medical and Biological

Background: Beta-thalassemia major is a common inherited single gene disorder. Thalassemic patients are at risk of changes in some important trace elements.Aim: To detect alteration of iron, copper, zinc, magnesium and calcium serum levels in Beta-thalassemia major patients using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and assessment of Quality of Life of those children. Materials & Methods: This study was conduct on 40 patients with beta- thalassemia major and 40 age and sex matched healthy children. Levels of serum iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium and copper were estimated by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy technique. Assessment of Quality of Life of those children using Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 4.0 Generic Core Scale, provided by MAPI Research Institute in Lyon. Results: Thalassemic patients had significantly higher serum iron (p <0.001), magnesium(p<0.005) and copper (p <0.005) while they had significantly lower serum zinc (p <0.005) and insignificantly lower serum calcium when compared to control (p>0.005).Thalassemic patients had significantly lower weight and height percentiles in comparison to controls (P<0.001). The study showed that the mean of physical health, social function, emotional function, school function, psychological function, and the total score were significantly lower in thalassemic patients compared to the control (P<0.01). Also,the study showed that high significant correlation between total score with physical health, social function, emotional function, school function, and psychosocial health (p<0.01).The study showed that high significant correlation between physical health with social function, emotional function, school function, and psychosocial health (p<0.01)

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