Zulfiqar ZKanwal AChaudhry MAadil MQaiser SMalik AAbdullah M.2024-05-102024-05-102023-10-07Zulfiqar Z, Kanwal A, Chaudhry M, Aadil M, Qaiser S, Malik A, Abdullah M. Cutaneous Manifestations in Patients with Beta-Thalassemia Major. J Mother Child. 2023 Oct 8;27(1):142-146. doi: 10.34763/jmotherandchild.20232701.d-23-00047. PMID: 37804540; PMCID: PMC10560103.10.34763/jmotherandchild.20232701.d-23-0004737804540http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14200/4489Beta-thalassemia major is a transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Both ongoing disease-related inflammatory processes and chronic transfusions lead to iron overload, which is depicted by hyperferritinemia. We aimed to report the prevalence of various dermatological manifestations in beta-thalassemia major patients and their relationship with serum ferritin levels. This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of six months. Beta-thalassemia major patients were consecutively enrolled and examined by a dermatologist who charted any skin conditions, if present. A blood sample was also taken at the same time to check for the serum ferritin levels. Data was analysed using SPSSv25. A total of 113 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the cohort was 9.32 � 4.54 years. The mean ferritin level for the cohort was 3334 � 1676 micrograms per litre. Cutaneous manifestations were seen in 89.4% (n = 101) patients with the common ones namely xerosis (44.2%), freckles (39.8%) and pruritus (44.2%). We noted that serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in those with freckles (p = 0.00288). The cause of pruritus does not appear to be jaundice (p = 0.973). Lastly, number of skin conditions were higher in those with onset of blood transfusions at age less than one year (p = 0.0011). Dermatological manifestations are a frequently encountered problem in beta-thalassemia major patients. It is important to examine these patients for various skin disorders periodically as this can help improve their quality of life and reduce dermatological-associated morbidity.HaematologyOncology. Pathology.Journal of Mother & Child