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Objective: To determine the diagnostic value of red blood cell distribution width and red cell distribution width index in differentiating iron deficiency anaemia and beta-thalassemia trait. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Dec 2021 to Feb 2022. Methodology: A study population of 110 children with an age limit of 1.5-7 years who reported low haemoglobin was subjected to serum iron and ferritin levels with further evaluation of red cell count, blood morphology, and comparison of mean corpuscular volume. Red cell distribution width was taken from the lab report, whereas Red blood cell distribution width index value was computed for the samples. Results: A total of 110 patients were enrolled in the study. Seventy-five (68.18%) participants were diagnosed with IDA, 26(23.63%) participants were the candidate of PTT. Nine participants were suffering from anaemia of variable etiologies such as chronic ailment and sideroblastic, etc. PTT patients presented with higher RBC counts with a mean of 5.71±1.2 x1012 /l (6.8-8.5 x1012 /l) when compared to IDA participants who deciphered values of 3.5±0.5 (2.6-4.3 x1012 /l). Mean MCV in PTT was 52.2±2.7(50.1-56.8) whereas for IDA were 72.5±1.2(61.2-78.3). In IDA low serum ferritin was recorded 4.02±1.1(2.2-9.2) as compared to mean values of PTT patients. Conclusion: Red cell distribution width index and Red blood cell distribution width are authentic variables and inexpensive modalities in differentiating between iron deficiency anaemia and beta-thalassemia trait with reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the role of Hydroxyurea in patients suffering from P-thalassemia major. Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study. Place and Duration of Study: Department Paediatrics, Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantt, Karachi Pakistan, from Nov 2019 to Oct 2020. Methodology: Data from 73 beta-thalassemia major patients was collected using a structured questionnaire containing inquiries about basic socio-demographic details, disease history, laboratory reports and particulars of former treatment regimens. Hydroxyurea was administered, and its effects were noted among the subjects regarding the frequency of transfusion, haemoglobin levels and severity of clinical symptoms. Results: The mean age of study subjects was 9.15±3.99 years, and most study subjects (56.14%) were boys. The preintervention (before administration of Hydroxyurea) levels of Hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and serum ferritin levels were unremarkable when compared to postintervention levels. However, a significant difference was observed in HbF levels. In addition, an encouraging decrease was reported in the self-rated severity (using VAS) of symptoms such as fatigue (p<0.05), weakness (p>0.05), and shortness of breath (p>0.05). In addition, the transfusion interval was significantly reduced (p<0.05). Conclusion: After carefully considering the results, it can be concluded that Hydroxyurea plays a positive role and brings about significant improvement among patients suffering from P-thalassemia major. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the role of Hydroxyurea in patients suffering from β-thalassemia major. Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study. Place and Duration of Study: Department Paediatrics, Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantt, Karachi Pakistan, from Nov 2019 to Oct 2020. Methodology: Data from 73 beta-thalassemia major patients was collected using a structured questionnaire containing inquiries about basic socio-demographic details, disease history, laboratory reports and particulars of former treatment regimens. Hydroxyurea was administered, and its effects were noted among the subjects regarding the frequency of transfusion, haemoglobin levels and severity of clinical symptoms. Results: The mean age of study subjects was 9.15±3.99 years, and most study subjects (56.14%) were boys. The pre-intervention (before administration of Hydroxyurea) levels of Hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and serum ferritin levels were unremarkable when compared to post - intervention levels. However, a significant difference was observed in HbF levels. In addition, an encouraging decrease was reported in the self-rated severity (using VAS) of symptoms such as fatigue (p<0.05), weakness (p>0.05), and shortness of breath (p>0.05). In addition, the transfusion interval was significantly reduced (p<0.05). Conclusion: After carefully considering the results, it can be concluded that Hydroxyurea plays a positive role and brings about significant improvement among patients suffering from β-thalassemia major. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]