Review Articles
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2013): Reviews, Articles, Case Reports and Letters

VITAMIN D STATUS IN THALASSEMIA MAJOR: AN UPDATE

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Published: September 2, 2013
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Hematology, thalassemia, vitamin D

Authors

The survival of patients with thalassemia major has progressively improved with advances in therapy; however, osteoporosis and cardiac dysfunction remain frequent complications. Adequate circulating levels of vitamin D are essential for optimal skeletal health and reducing fracture risk. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is reported to be high in thalassemic patients in many countries despite the presence of good sunshine and routine prescription of 400–1,000 IU vitamin D per day. The risk of vitamin D deficiency in thalassemia and its relation to bone disease; including osteoporosis, rickets, scoliosis, spinal deformities and fractures as well as to cardiac dysfunction is discussed in this mini-review. Monitoring and maintaining normal serum level of 25-OH vitamin D through oral intake of vitamin D and early correction of VDD by oral or parental use of vitamin D may significantly improve bone mineral accretion and ameliorate cardiac function.

The survival of patients with thalassemia major has progressively improved with advances in therapy; however, osteoporosis and cardiac dysfunction remain frequent complications. Adequate circulating levels of vitamin D are essential for optimal skeletal health and reducing fracture risk. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is reported to be high in thalassemic patients in many countries despite the presence of good sunshine and routine prescription of 400–1,000 IU vitamin D per day. The risk of vitamin D deficiency in thalassemia and its relation to bone disease; including osteoporosis, rickets, scoliosis, spinal deformities and fractures as well as to cardiac dysfunction is discussed in this mini-review. Monitoring and maintaining normal serum level of 25-OH vitamin D through oral intake of vitamin D and early correction of VDD by oral or parental use of vitamin D may significantly improve bone mineral accretion and ameliorate cardiac function.

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Ethics Approval

Review article
Ashraf Tawfik Soliman, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology Hamad Medical Center Doha Qatar
Department of Pediatrics

How to Cite



“VITAMIN D STATUS IN THALASSEMIA MAJOR: AN UPDATE” (2013) Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, 5(1), p. e2013057. doi:10.4084/mjhid.2013.057.