Evaluation of body iron status in Italian carriers of beta-thalassemia trait

Iron deficiency is the most common single nutrient disorder in humans. Carriers of beta -thalassemia have frequently been considered patients in whom iron deficiency difficulty may co-exist because dyserythropoiesis enhances enteric iron absorption. We studied 185 normal children and 146 heterozygous children for beta -thalassemia. Furthermore, 51 normal men and 45 men with beta -thalassemia trait as well as 43 normal women of childbearing age and 25 carriers of the same age were studied. Serum ferritin estimations were performed by RIA technique. No difference in iron deficiency prevalence was found among heterozygous children for beta -thalassemia compared to normal children. The same was observed in adults. As for iron overload, the only statistically significant difference has been observed among men. Affected men tend to develop iron overload. Carriers of beta -thalassemia are world-wide with a high rate among people of Mediterranean ancestry and in some developing countries. This condition concerns millions of people and, therefore, physicians should be aware that iron deficiency might co-exist or develop in many of them. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.