Mohd Igbal@ Mohd Iqbal, M.Iyen
(2011)
Blood Lead Level
Among Paediatric Thalassaemia Patients
In
Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
Masters thesis, Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan.
Abstract
Lead toxicity has been recognized for thousands of years. Today, lead
toxicity is well documented and is recognized as a major environmental health risk
throughout the world.
Lead affects humans and animals of all ages, but the effects of lead are most
serious in young children. The route of lead exposure is primarily via inhalation or
ingestion. However Bearer et al has shown that blood transfusion can be a source for
lead exposure to premature infants.
Thalassemia is common in this country, and majority of patients are
transfusion dependant, thus hypothesis been made that regular blood transfusion can
represent a significant source of lead in our Thalassaemic patients. To determine Blood Lead Level in Thalassaemic patients with regular blood
transfusion and to compare means with non-Thalassaemic patients. This was a cross sectional study, conducted at the Paediatric Thalassaemia
Day Care Unit, General Paediatric Ward (Ward 6 Selatan) and Paediatric Clinic in
Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) from March 2009 until August 2010. A
total of 90 patients were included, 45 were Thalassaemic transfusion dependant
patients and the other 45 were control who were of same age and sex with patients
group and never been transfused before. The blood lead samples were taken pretransfusion
for Thalassaemic patients group and random for control group. Samples
were then analysed using standard Atomic Absorption Spectrometer analysis. This study revealed that overall mean blood lead level (2.13 ± 1.72J.Lg/dL)
was low compared to standard CDC recommendations action plan levels. There was
statistically significant difference between mean blood lead levels in Thalassaemic
patients group (1.14 ± 0.85J.1g/dL) and control group (3.12 ± 1.8lJ.1g/dL). No
correlations of age or serum ferritin level to blood lead level were found. This study shows that our Thalassaemic transfusion dependant patients do not
have extra exposure to lead from their regular blood transfusion.
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