Characteristics and Frequency of Hepatitis C among Children With Β-Thalassemia Visiting Tertiary Care Hospital
Huda Abbas, Zunaira Javed, Sadia Bashir, Wajahat Hussain, Nadia Tufail, Hamad Masood
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ABSTRACT
Aim: To find the characteristics and frequency of hepatitis C among
children with β-Thalassemia.
Methodology: It was a cross
sectional type of study conducted in tertiary care hospital of Bahawalpur for a
period of 6 months from from
January 2021 to June 2021. Sample size was 51 patients. Patients suffering from β-Thalassemia and were undergoing
blood transfusions in large amounts were included.
Results: β-Thalassemia is more common in Males (67%) than females
(33%) with most of the cases detected in the patients who were living in rural
areas (61%). Moreover, with the increase in number of transfusions the threat
of HCV increases.
Conclusion: Blood transfusion is a lifesaving intervention. There is
a need to pay an immediate attention towards the bio safety practice in both
the public and private sector blood banks. There must be strict rules and
regulations for safe blood transfusions in Pakistan.
Keywords: Thalassemia; HCV; Blood transfusion; HB electrophoresis