Abstract
Neural pathway involvement is considered to be a neurological complication in Beta-thalassemia
major (BTM). This study aimed to detect possible involvement of central and peripheral
neural pathways in a group of neurologically asymptomatic patients with BTM. It was
performed on 30 patients diagnosed as having BTM (group I), and 10 healthy children
who were matched for age, sex, and height (group II). Serum ferritin, iron, glucose
tolerance test, intelligence quotient (IQ) test, and electroencephalogram (EEG) were
assessed in BTM patients. Electrophysiologic study was assessed in both groups. The
mean age of the patients was 10.45 ± 2.88 years. They were 14 males and 16 females.
The results of the present study showed that 66.7% of patients had subclinical sensory
peripheral neuropathy. Twenty percent of the patients had abnormal somatosensory evoked
potentials. Low average and slow learner total IQ score were found in 63.3% of the
studied patients. These findings did not correlate with age, disease duration, serum
iron, and ferritin. Twenty-three patients had mature EEG background activity, while
seven patients had immature background activity. The EEG background maturity had significant
correlation with age, duration of desferrioxamine therapy, and serum iron. There was
no correlation between serum ferritin level, EEG, and electrophysiologic findings.
Regular electrophysiologic monitoring and intellectual evaluation are recommended
to detect relevant abnormalities and apply appropriate management.
Keywords
beta-thalassemia major - electrophysiologic study - peripheral neuropathy - intelligence
quotient test - electroencephalogram
