الفهرس 
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Abstract
β-thalassemia is highly prevalent and worldwide in its distribution. Thalassemia affects multiple organs and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality.
Beta thalassemia major is the most severe form requiring repeated blood transfusions that inevitably leads to secondary iron overload that can cause significant damage to many organs, as iron overload is associated with the production of free radicals that can cause damage to tissues such as liver ,heart and endocrine system. So chelation therapy is indicated to prevent iron accumulation and related complications. Although these drugs will improve quality of life and increase life span it also have its complications.
Zinc deficiency is noted in patients with thalasemia undergoing chelation treatment.
The aim of the present work was measuring the serum zinc level in beta thalassemia major children receiving iron chelators to prevent its side effects regarding the zinc deficiency.
The study was cross sectional descriptive conducted in Suez canal university Hospital. The study subjects were 42 thalassemia children attending outpatient hematology clinic at Suez canal university hospital and 20 healthy children as control group.
All subjects were evaluated by full history taking, anthropometric measures, and laboratory investigations including:
• Haemoglobin concentration and Serum ferritin level in thalassemia children.
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Serum zinc was measured in serum of blood samples collected from thalassemia and control groups sepectrophotometricaly.
• Thirty thalassemic patients about (71.4%) from rural area and 12 patients (28.6%) from urban.
• Twinty four thalassemia patients were females(57.2%) and 18 were males(42.8%) with mean age of 7.6±2.97 years.
• The hemoglobin concentration in thalassemia group was statistically highly significant lower than control group.
• Serum ferritin concentration in thalassemia patients was more than 1000 ng/ml .
• Body Mass Index, weight and height of thalassemia children were significantly less than control group.
• There was statistically significant difference in serum zinc between thalassemia and control group.
• Serum zinc in each iron chelators group was significantly lower than control group but was non-significant between iron chelator groups.
• There was significant negative correlation between serum zinc and duration of iron chelation therapy.