Author(s): Vinayak W. Patil and Shahid A. Mujawar
To estimate the levels of folic acid, vitamin B12 and their relationship with ferritin in β- thalassemia major children. Thirty children with β-thalassemia major in the age group of 4 to 8 years were studied for estimation of serum ferritin, folic acid and vitamin B12 over a period of one year. These tests were determined by means of Immulite 1000 analyzer. The statistical analysis of β-thalassemia major group compared with normal control group, showed significant (p<0.001) decreases in serum folic acid, vitamin B12 levels whereas increased concentration of ferritin in all 30 study subject. Negative and significant correlations were observed between ferritin and folic acid, and vitamin B12 in β-thalassemia major group. The present study found a significant association between ferritin and folic acid, vitamin B12 deficiency in children with β-thalassemia.