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. 2024 Sep 18;16(9):e69675.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.69675. eCollection 2024 Sep.

Serum Homocysteine Levels and Their Relationship With Serum Vitamin B12, Folate, and Ferritin Levels in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemic Children

Likhitha S  1 , Suman Kumari  2 , Manoj Kumar  1 , Vikash Katewa  1 , Pramod Sharma  1 , Sangeeta Yadav  1
Affiliations

Serum Homocysteine Levels and Their Relationship With Serum Vitamin B12, Folate, and Ferritin Levels in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemic Children

Likhitha S et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess serum homocysteine levels and their relationship with serum vitamin B12, folate, and ferritin levels in transfusion-dependent thalassemic children. This study was proposed due to a paucity of literature regarding the status of homocysteine levels in thalassemic children and their relationship with the levels of vitamins and iron overload (serum ferritin values).

Methodology: A descriptive observational study was conducted on transfusion-dependent thalassemic children aged 1-18 years, who were registered at the Thalassemia Day Care Centre (TDCC), Umaid Hospital, Dr. SN Medical College, Jodhpur, over a period of six months.

Results: A total of 100 children were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 8.89±4.50 years. The mean pre-transfusion hemoglobin level in the last six months was 8.23±1.02 gm/dL. The mean serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid, and ferritin were 10.93±3.72 µmol/L, 164.03±80.54 pg/mL, 7.69±5.77 ng/mL, and 2175.78±1341.39 ng/mL, respectively. A statistically significant negative correlation was detected between serum vitamin B12 concentration and serum homocysteine concentration (r=-0.285, p=0.004). Statistically non-significant positive correlations were detected between serum folic acid and serum homocysteine levels (r=0.033, p=0.748) and between serum ferritin and serum homocysteine levels (r=0.179, p=0.075).

Conclusion: A statistically significant negative correlation between serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 levels was noted, whereas statistically non-significant positive correlations were observed between serum homocysteine and serum folic acid levels and between serum homocysteine and serum ferritin levels.

Keywords: serum ferritin; serum folic acid; serum homocysteine; serum vitamin b12; transfusion dependent thalassemic children.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethics Committee, Dr. S. N. Medical College, Jodhpur issued approval No. SNMC/IEC/2022/1754-1755. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Scatter plot showing the correlation between serum homocysteine and serum vitamin B12.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Scatter plot showing the correlation between serum homocysteine and serum folic acid levels.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Scatter plot showing the correlation between serum homocysteine and serum ferritin levels.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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