Abstract
Introduction: Osteoporosis associated with beta-thalassemia major (beta-Thal) has emerged as a significant problem due to increasing life expectancy in those patients. Aim: The aim of the current research was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of alendronate in beta-Thal children with either low or very low bone mineral density (BMD). Methodology: The study was carried out on 20 beta-thalassemic children (12 with very low BMD, Z-score < -2.5, and 8 with low BMD, Z-score -1.0-2.4) and 10 healthy children (control; Z-score > 1.0). BMD was assessed in all the study children (control, and before and after alendronate therapy) by dual- energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: The findings of this research revealed that the BMD Z-score and BMD of the lumbar spine (LS-BMD) were significantly low in beta-Thal children compared to the control children. Six months of alendronate therapy (10 mg daily) significantly improved BMD Z-score while non-significantly improved LS-BMD of beta-Thal children compared to before treatment values. Besides, alendronate significantly improved the degree of osteoporosis in beta-Thal children (6 very low BMD, 10 low BMD and 4 are normal BMD (Z-score > -1.0)). Conclusion: The current study recommends the use of alendronate for pediatric beta-Thal patients with a BMD Z-score < -1.0.