Effects of thalassemia major on bone mineral density in late adolescence

Management of thalassemia major has shown substantial clinical and prognostic improvement, suggesting the need for major attention to quality of life. We studied bone health in 25 patients (13 males, 12 females; 15-23 years old) affected by β-thalassemia major. In all patients, bone mineral density (BMD), biochemical markers of bone and calcium metabolism (calcium, phosphate, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, urinary calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25OH-D], 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2,D], parathyroid hormone [PTH]), hematological parameters and gonadal steroids status were assessed and related to each other and to auxological parameters (chronological, statural and bone ages, height, we…