Beta Thalassemia Major
Conditions
Brief summary
Thalassemics can develop liver fibrosis because of iron overload and hepatitis C infection. The latter is the main risk factor for liver fibrosis in transfusion dependent thalassemics. Excess liver iron is clearly recognized as a co factor for the development of advanced fibrosis in patients with hepatitis virus C infection. Magnetic resonance imaging represents the most available noninvasive technique to assess the level of iron in the liver.there is evidence that suggests Spirulina may help to protect against liver damage, cirrhosis and liver failure in those with chronic liver disease.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTspirulina
Spirulina in a dose of 250 mg/kg/day will be given orally for 3 months.
Sponsors
Tanta University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* multitransfused beta thalassemic children with super added hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection diagnosed by serological detection of HCV antibodies and HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction.
Exclusion criteria
* liver decompensation child younger than 3 years patients with hepatitis B infection contraindications to perform MRI (intraocular metallic foreign body, cardiac pacemaker, intracranial clips of arterial brain aneurysms) refusal to participate in the study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| liver iron concentration using magnetic resonance imaging (T2* gradient echo pulse sequence in the axial plane) | 3 months |
Countries
Egypt
Outcome results
None listed