International Journal of Nutrition Sciences

International Journal of Nutrition Sciences

Evaluation of Calcium and Vitamin D Levels in Serum in A Sample of Thalassemia Patients from Baghdad

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Marwah Mohammed Nasri 1
Ayat Abd-Aljaleel Nsaif 1
Zena Saleem Zamil 1
Rihab Mohammed Guaim 1
Mohammed Hayder Asker 2
1 College of Pharmacy, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
2 Basic Science Department, College of dentistry, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
10.30476/ijns.2025.106136.1427
Abstract
Background: Beta thalassemia patients require lifelong blood transfusions that can lead to iron accumulation in tissues and a decreased vitamin D synthesis. This study determined vitamin D and calcium levels in thalassemia patients in Baghdad, Iraq.
Methods: In 2023, 100 adult patients of 15-25 years of both sexes who were regularly diagnosed with thalassemia in Center for Genetic Hematology at Ibn al-Baladi Hospital in Rusafa- Baghdad, Iraq were enrolled. Serum 25-OH-vitamin D and calcium were levels were assessed. Totally, 50 blood samples were collected from thalassemia patients together with 50 blood samples from healthy people as control for comparison.
Results: Vitamin D level was low in thalassemia patients. There was a significant difference in the decrease in vitamin D level between men and women (p=0.008). Females had a significantly higher calcium deficiency than males. The serum calcium level was low, and no significant difference was noticed between sexes (p=0.28). When comparing thalassemia rate, a significant difference was visible in vitamin D level (p=0.002). For calcium level, the difference between two groups was significant (p=0.01).
Conclusion: A significant difference was observed for vitamin D and calcium deficiency among thalassemia patients of both sexes when compared to healthy people.

Highlights

Marwah Mohammed Nasri (Google Scholar)

Ayat Abd-Aljaleel Nsaif (Google Scholar)

 

Keywords
Thalassemia
Vitamin D
Calcium
Iraq
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International Journal of Nutrition Sciences
Volume 10, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
December 2025
Pages 577-581