الفهرس 
Introduction
EpidemiologyOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Delayed puberty is the most common endocrine complication in thalassemia major. The main cause of delayed puberty in thalassemia major is the failure of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis due to iron accumulation in the pituitary The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of delayed puberty in β-thalassemia major patients in Assuit University Children Hospital This study evaluated the adequacy of chelation therapy and its regular compliance on reaching the age of puberty in B thalassemia major patients Results of the current study revealed a gross impairment of pubertal development as well as a high prevalence of hypogonadism in β-TM patients Hypogonadism among the β-TM patients was associated with iron overload and high ferritin level Majority of patients had poor compliance to the chelation regimen which was considered the main contributor to the high ferritin level Significant relationship between hypogonadism and age of starting chelation therapy and compliance to the chelation therapy regimens reflects the importance of early use and high compliance to the regimens of iron chelators for prevention of irreversible cell damage in various endocrine glands by iron overload It is suggested that newer protocols of treatment, optimization of transfusion and chelation therapy be implemented so that such complications can be partly or totally prevented.