Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine
Babol University of Medical Sciences
Sun, Sep 6, 2026
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Volume 17, Issue 3 (Summer 2026)
Caspian J Intern Med 2026, 17(3): 549-554 |
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Ethics code: IR.MUBABOL.REC.1401.103
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Akbari R, Mahmoodi Nesheli H, Salehi S, Hajiahmadi M, Sadr Moharerpour S. Serum β2-microglobulin as a marker of renal tubular damage in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. Caspian J Intern Med 2026; 17 (3) :549-554
URL: http://caspjim.com/article-1-5063-en.html
URL: http://caspjim.com/article-1-5063-en.html
Roghayeh Akbari 
, Hassan Mahmoodi Nesheli , Soha Salehi , Mahmoud Hajiahmadi , Sahar Sadr Moharerpour *
, Hassan Mahmoodi Nesheli , Soha Salehi , Mahmoud Hajiahmadi , Sahar Sadr Moharerpour *
Non-Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IR Iran , drsaharsadr@gmail.com
Abstract: (8 Views)
Background: β-thalassemia major is a hereditary disorder characterized by transfusion-dependent anemia and associated complications. In patients with β-thalassemia major, one of the long-term complications of regular blood transfusion is renal dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate serum β2-microglobulin as a marker of the severity of renal tubular dysfunction and to examine the clinical factors associated with the severity of renal tubular dysfunction in children with β-thalassemia major.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 134 non-diabetic children with β-thalassemia major who attended thalassemia centers in Mazandaran Province, Iran. Data were collected using a structured checklist that included demographic information, laboratory findings, and clinical parameters. The severity of renal tubular dysfunction was assessed using serum β2-microglobulin levels. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated using the revised Schwartz formula. Pearson correlation analysis was used for statistical analysis.
Results: A significant positive correlation was observed between β2-microglobulin levels and age (r = 0.311, p < 0.001), number of blood transfusions per year (r = 0.390, p < 0.001), serum creatinine (r = 0.732, p < 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (r = 0.715, p < 0.001), and serum ferritin (r = 0.505, p < 0.001). In contrast, significant negative correlations were found with serum hemoglobin (r = −0.433, p < 0.001) and creatinine clearance (r = −0.383, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Renal tubular dysfunction in children with β-thalassemia major showed significant correlations with age, iron overload, anemia severity, and transfusion frequency. Serum β2-microglobulin may serve as a useful marker for the early detection of tubular damage and may help guide preventive strategies in clinical practice.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 134 non-diabetic children with β-thalassemia major who attended thalassemia centers in Mazandaran Province, Iran. Data were collected using a structured checklist that included demographic information, laboratory findings, and clinical parameters. The severity of renal tubular dysfunction was assessed using serum β2-microglobulin levels. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated using the revised Schwartz formula. Pearson correlation analysis was used for statistical analysis.
Results: A significant positive correlation was observed between β2-microglobulin levels and age (r = 0.311, p < 0.001), number of blood transfusions per year (r = 0.390, p < 0.001), serum creatinine (r = 0.732, p < 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (r = 0.715, p < 0.001), and serum ferritin (r = 0.505, p < 0.001). In contrast, significant negative correlations were found with serum hemoglobin (r = −0.433, p < 0.001) and creatinine clearance (r = −0.383, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Renal tubular dysfunction in children with β-thalassemia major showed significant correlations with age, iron overload, anemia severity, and transfusion frequency. Serum β2-microglobulin may serve as a useful marker for the early detection of tubular damage and may help guide preventive strategies in clinical practice.
Keywords: Beta-thalassemia major, Pediatrics, Renal tubular dysfunction, β2-microglobulin, Iron overload, Biomarker
Policy Brief: Original Article |
Subject:
Nephrology
Received: 2026/02/1 | Accepted: 2026/08/17 | Published: 2026/06/9
Received: 2026/02/1 | Accepted: 2026/08/17 | Published: 2026/06/9
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