PREVALENCE OF IRON DEFICIENCY IN INDIVIDUALS WITH Β-THALASSEMIA TRAIT

Objective: To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency in β-Thalassemia trait individuals. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2019 in the department of Hematology, KRL hospital Islamabad. Serum ferritin level of all β-thalassemia trait individuals was performed to determine the iron status. Result: We studied the iron status of 132 β-thalassemia trait individuals. Out of these 132; 75 were females and 57 were males. 30 (22.7%) individuals were found to be iron deficient. 26 (34.7%) females and 04 (7%) males were iron deficient. Conclusion: It can be concluded that iron status should be investigated and promptly treated in individuals with β- thalassemia trait especially those with a low hemoglobin level for age and gender. Key Words: β-thalassemia trait, Iron deficiency anemia.