Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive inherited blood disorder due to hemoglobin-production abnormalities. The study aims to identify the Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with thalassemia. A cross-sectional study was conducted atThalassemia Center in Al-Najaf province, during the period from of April 1st to August 31st 2018. Data were collected through direct interview with patients/parents. A total of 175 transfusion dependent thalassemia major patients were included, the mean age 10. 5 years, ranging from 5 m to 34years. Patients under 10 years of age represented the highest rate with Male: Female ratio 1.2:1. 60% were from rural area with high percentage of parental consanguinity (70%). The majority of patients had high serum ferritin level which was associated with multiple complications such as cardiac and endocrine problems and one third had underwent splenectomy. Development of preventive measures as genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, pre-marital screening are the best ways to decrease the incidence of disease, in addition to regular blood transfusion with optimum chelation therapy.
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