Demographic and Nutritional Profile of Thalassemia Carrier and Non-Carrier Young Children in Bangladesh: A Comparative Study.
Abstract
Thalassemia is a congenital hemoglobin disorder characterized by genetic defects in hemoglobin synthesis resulting in premature breakdown of the red blood cells. Clinically, the condition ranges from the asymptomatic carrier state (thalassemia trait) to overt disease (thalassemia syndrome). Globally, 7% of the population are suffering from thalassemia carrier. Children with thalassemia are at high risk of long-term growth and nutritional deficits. There is a scarcity of data on the association of thalassemia carrier and the socio-demographic and nutritional status. This secondary analysis nested in a clinical trial compared the socio-demographic, nutritional, and dietary characteristics between the thalassemia carrier ( n = 29) and non-carrier children ( n = 130) aged 2-5 years in a rural setting in Bangladesh. The intake of the macro- and micronutrients was estimated by a seven-day semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Z-scores corresponding to stunting (HAZ), wasting (WHZ), and underweight (WAZ) were estimated. Welch's t -test was used to compare the groups. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the association of the carrier status with the growth outcomes. The children of the carrier groups had lower HAZ than that of non-carrier groups; -1.84 vs. -1.38, p = 0.02. The carrier group consumed a lower amount of vitamin D ( p = 0.03). Thalassemia carrier status predicted lower HAZ after adjustment with the socio-demographics, morbidities, and dietary intake (coefficient: -0.54, p = 0.02), which attenuated upon inclusion of hemoglobin in the model (coefficient: -0.34, p = 0.14). Thalassemia carrier children had lower growth potential than the non-thalassemic peers. Amid the pertinent explanatory factors considered, overall, the thalassemia carrier state was not associated with lower growth in young children. A larger study is required for further insights.
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