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Background and purpose: Thalassemia major is a hematic hereditary disease with high rate of incidence in Iran. Malnutrition and growth retardation is prevalent in these patients. This study was done to assess the nutritional status and blood indices in patients with β-thalassemia major. Material and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in 72 individuals with thalassemia major aged 10-20 years. Systematic sampling was done in patients attending Mashhad and Sabzevar thalassemia clinics. Written informed consent was obtained from patients who were willing to participate in the study. Data was collected through the semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire which was completed by trained interviewers. Nutritional information was studied in Nutritionist IV. To measure blood indices 5 ml blood was drawn from the patients. Descriptive statistics, one sample t-test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests were performed in SPSS V.16. P<0.05 was considered as significant level. Results: In this study there were 55.6% female and 44.4% male. The mean BMI of patients were 19.05±3.74 and 18.99±3.7 kg/m2, respectively. Dietary assessment showed that the mean of macronutrient intakes were more than dietary standard values except for cholesterol and fiber. Also, intake of micronutrient, were less than dietary standard values except in taking B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. Values of Hb and Hct were found to be less than the standard level but serum ferritin was more than normal range. Conclusion: The findings showed that deficiency of micronutrients due to malnutrition is prevalent in thalassemia patients.

Keywords: Thalassemia major, nutritional status, blood indices

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