Nutritional Status of Thalassemia Patients

Original Research Article

Abstract

The nutritional status of children is a prominent factor in the economic development of a country. Good nutrition is essential for achieving normal growth and development. Therefore, to rule out any growth abnormality, nutritional assessment becomes an integral step in every pediatric patient care. Measurement of the nutritional status of the thalassemic pediatric population is of utmost importance, as they are known to have iron overload and multiple nutrient deficiencies due to poor absorption. Present research was planned to assess the nutritional status of thalassemic pediatric patients, including components of medical history, biochemical and clinical examination, dietary intake and anthropometrics. A total of 50 patients were assessed, of whom 10 patients were found severely malnourished, while 30% patients were found mildly malnourished. Therefore, it was recommended to counsel families and children properly to follow a suitable diet so that a good nutritional status can be maintained. Keywords: Thalassemia, children, nutrition status, height, weight, anthropometry, dietary intake, dietary counselling