Abstract
Homocysteine blood levels in 52 beta thalassemia patients were determined and correlated with liver functions, splenectomy, iron overload, and folate levels, and evidence of thrombotic complications. Fifty two beta-thalassemia patients (42 major,7 intermedia, and 3 sickle thalassemia), aged 2.5-18 years, and 13 age and sex matched controls were subjected to history and examination, investigations: CBC, hemoglobin electro-phoresis, hepatitis B and C markers, serum ferritin, liver functions, total plasma L-homocysteine, serum folic acid, and serum lipoprotein (a). The homocysteine level, serum folic acid, and lipoprotein (a) were higher in thalassemics compared to controls (P<0.001), with no correlation to each other or other variables studied. The lipoprotein (a) was higher in major compared to intermedia patients (P<0.001). We conclude that hyperhomocysteinemia is important risk factor for thrombogenesis in (a) over cap thalassemics, independent of serum folic acid levels.