Renal tubular function in children with beta-thalassemia minor.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

beta-thalassemia minor is a common heterozygous haemoglobinopathy that is characterized by both microcytosis and hypochromia. It requires no treatment. It has been postulated that low-grade haemolysis, tubular iron deposition and toxins derived from erythrocytes might cause renal tubular damage in adult patients with beta-thalassemia minor. Our aim was to investigate the renal tubular functions in children with beta-thalassemia minor and to determine its possible harmful effects.

METHODS:

The study was conducted on 32 children (14 female and 18 male) at the age of 5.8 +/- 3.1 years (range 2-14 years) with beta-thalassemia minor. The patients were classified as anaemic (haemoglobin (Hb) </= 11 g/dL) (Group 1, n = 14) and non-anaemic (Hb > 11 g/dL) (Group 2, n = 18). A control group was formed with 18 healthy children whose ages and sexes match those in other groups (Group 3, n = 18). Fractional excretion of sodium (FE(Na), %), fractional excretion of magnesium (FE(Mg), %), fractional excretion of uric acid (FE(UA), %) and tubular phosphorus reabsorption (TPR,%) were calculated with standard formulas. Urinary calcium excretion (mg/kg per 24 h), zinc (Zn) (microg/dL), glucosuria (mg/dL), beta-2 microglobulin (mg/dL) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glycosaminidase (NAG, U/mmol creatinine) levels were measured through biochemical methods.

RESULTS:

There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in terms of the results of FE(Na) (%), FE(Mg) (%), FE(UA) (%), TPR (%), calciuria (mg/kg per 24 h), NAG, urine Zn, proteinuria, glucosuria or urine beta- 2 microglobulin levels (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

On the contrary of children with beta-thalassemia major, renal tubular dysfunction has not been determined in children with beta-thalassemia minor in the present study.

• Authors: Süleyman Kalman, A Avni Atay, Onur Sakallioglu, Taner Ozgürtaş, Faysal Gök, Ismail Kurt, A Emin Kürekçi, Okan Ozcan, Erdal Gökçay
• Journal: Nephrology (Carlton, Vic.) (Nephrology (Carlton)) Vol. 10 Issue 5 Pg. 427-9 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 1320-5358 [Print] Australia
• PMID: 16221088 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• beta 2-Microglobulin
• Acetylglucosaminidase
• Zinc
• Calcium

Topics

• Acetylglucosaminidase (urine)
• Adolescent
• Calcium (urine)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Glycosuria, Renal (etiology, urine)
• Humans
• Kidney Diseases (etiology, urine)
• Kidney Tubules (physiology)
• Male
• Proteinuria (etiology, urine)
• Zinc (urine)
• beta 2-Microglobulin (urine)
• beta-Thalassemia (complications, urine)