Zinc levels in Beta-Thalassemia Major: A Review of the Literature

Objective: Zinc is an essential trace element for the body that is involved in various significant body functions such as protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, and cellular growth. It is found in almost every cell and plays an important role in the immune system, affecting both innate and acquired immunity. Patients with beta-thalassemia major are at risk of zinc deficiency. Beta-thalassemia major is an inherited disease caused by a reduction or complete absence of beta-globin chains and the affected patients need repeated blood transfusions to survive. Accordingly, it causes oxidative stress and tissue damage, alteration of antioxidant enzymes, and changes in other essential trace element levels due to iron overload. Zinc levels in beta-thalassemia major patients were reported to be significantly reduced in most of the studies. Serum zinc levels of the patients with beta-thalassemia major should be monitored regularly and zinc supplementation should be provided to these patients.