Introduction: β-thalassemia major due to ineffective erythrocyte life span leads to severe anemia requiring regular transfusion, which it can lead to major organs damage. Renal damage can be attributed to chronic anemia, iron over load and or defferoxamin toxicity. The object of this study was to analyze renal tubular and glomerular function in pediatric patients with beta-thalassemia major.
Materials and Methods: 39 patients with β -thalassemia major whose mean ages were 11.8 yr and 22 sex and age matched healthy children as control group were studied. Blood and urine samples were obtained for measuring biochemical markers. Urinary N-Acetyl-β.D.glucosaminidase (NAG) and urine NAG to creatine ratio (U NAG/ Cr ratio) were measured
Results: No significant differences were found between serum BUN, creatinine, and also creatinine clearance between both groups. Also there were no significant differences in urine osmolality between patients and controls. Urine NAG was significantly higher in thalassemic patients than control group (p< 0.000). There was positive relation between urinary NAG and duration of illness(r = 0314, p