Evaluation of Serum Leptin Levels and Growth in Patients withβ-Thalassaemia Major

Abstract

Background. Iron deposition in the body can damage the endocrine glands of patients with β-thalassaemia major (β-TM). Leptin plays a key role in the regulation of appetite, body fat mass, and endocrine function. Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum leptin and growth and pubertal development in patients with β-TM, as well as whether serum leptin can predict growth retardation and delayed puberty in these patients. Methods. Fifty β-TM patients (aged 8–20 years) and 75 age-matched healthy controls were recruited. Anthropometric data and sexual maturity ratings were assessed. Serum leptin was measured by ELISA. Results. Serum leptin levels were significantly lower in patients with β-TM than in healthy individuals (P < 0.001). Leptin levels were also significantly reduced in female patients with short stature (P < 0.002) and in patients who displayed delayed puberty (P = 0.032) compared to those with normal stature who had reached puberty. The sensitivity of leptin for predicting short stature and delayed puberty among patients was 84.6% and 92.3%, respectively. Conclusion. Low serum leptin is sensitive to predict short stature and significant in β-TM females only. This link could thus be used as a guide for further therapeutic or hormonal modulation.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Versus Serum Iron Status as Diagnostic Tools for Pituitary Iron Overload in Children with Beta Thalassemia

“…In the current study, there was delayed puberty according to tanner staging in patients with thalassemia compared with control group. This is in agreement with Al-Naama et al [20] who reported that 63% of male patients with beta thalassemia major ≥ 14 years of age and 54.5% of female patients with beta thalassemia major ≥ 13 years of age showed signs of delayed puberty. In contrast, all individuals in the control group exhibited normal pubertal development and Dhouib et al [23] who reported that 42% of studied patients had a delayed puberty.…”

“…This comes in agreement with Al-Naama et al [20] and Alsharnoubi et al [1], they found significantly lower BMI, BMI -score, height, and weight in patients of both sexes with -TM than in controls. Short stature was observed in 52% of patients with -TM and as regard to BMI, our results are in agreement with Eissa and El-Gamal [21] and Hagag et al [19] who found significantly lower BMI in patients compared with controls which was explained by chronic nature of the disease.…”

Association of GDF15 levels with body mass index and endocrine status in β‐thalassaemia

“…There is only limited data on the food intake behaviour and appetite in thalassaemia. There is evidence that patients with thalassaemia have micronutrient deficiencies related to inadequate intake which could be related to poor appetite 28 …”

“…There is evidence that patients with thalassaemia have micronutrient deficiencies related to inadequate intake which could be related to poor appetite. 28 …”

“…There is evidence that patients with thalassaemia have micronutrient deficiencies related to inadequate intake which could be related to poor appetite. 28 In addition to its effects on appetite, GDF15 powerfully stimulates the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. 29 No significant correlation was seen with cortisol levels in this study, but the dynamic and circadian nature of cortisol secretion is very poorly captured by random plasma samples, so it is perhaps unsurprising that no correlation was discernible.…”