الفهرس 
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Abstract
Thalassemia is a common hematological disorder in Egypt and other Mediterranean countries caused by defective globin synthesis resulting in decreased quantity of globin chains.
The optimization of transfusion schedules together with advances in iron chelation therapy have significantly prolonged the life expectancy of thalassemia patients, which imply the possibility of developing of new complications not observed in past including pulmonary disorders.
Lung dysfunction is among the least studied complications in thalassemia children, probably due to the lack of pulmonary symptoms presenting compared with cardiomyopathy or endocrine complications.
The aim of the study is to determine the effect of iron overload on lung functions in children with thalassemia by asses pulmonary function tests using spirometry.
This study enroll 50 children with thalassemia (34 males &16 females), all were recruited from the Pediatric Hematology Clinic in Beni-Suef University Hospital. Β-Thalassemia major patients are on regular blood transfusion.
The children were subdivided into two groups:
group A: (30) patients with serum ferritin above 1000 ng/dl.
group B: (20) patients with serum ferritin below 1000 ng/dl.
All patients were subjected to complete history and full examination.
Certain investigations were done:
CBC
Serum ferritin
CRP.
Pulmonary function test was done to all patients using spirometry to asses FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio.
This study revealed that 82% of thalassemic children had abnormal pattern of pulmonary function test (56% restrictive pattern, 4% obstructive and 22% mixed pattern). 75% of patients had restrictive pattern were mild and 25% were moderate.
Also the study revealed that serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in patients with abnormal PFT (1456.65±650.39) than in patients with normal PFT. Low HB levels and high ferritin levels were good predictors for the development of abnormal PFTs (744.34±541.27) (P =.03). While sex, chelation therapy and splenectomy were not predictors of abnormal PFT.
Finally, although most of patients are asymptomatic, regular follow up of thalassemia patients for pulmonary complications is very important nowadays, as with schedule transfusion and good chelation therapy, lifespan of thalassemia patient increase and pulmonary complications start to appear. So routine follow up for all thalassemia patients to detect pulmonary complications is highly recommended especially those with high serum ferritin level and low Hb.