Serum β2-microglobulin as a marker of renal tubular damage in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia.
4 affiliations
- 1Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
- 2Non-Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
- 3Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
- 4Clinical Research Development Unit of Amirkola Children's Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IR Iran.
Abstract
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.
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BibTeX
@article{akbari2026serum,
title = {{Serum β2-microglobulin as a marker of renal tubular damage in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia.}},
author = {Roghayeh Akbari and Hassan Mahmoodi Nesheli and Soha Salehi and Mahmoud Hajiahmadi and Sahar Sadr Moharerpour},
journal = {Caspian journal of internal medicine},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.22088/cjim.17.3.546},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923635},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Serum β2-microglobulin as a marker of renal tubular damage in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia.
AU - Roghayeh Akbari
AU - Hassan Mahmoodi Nesheli
AU - Soha Salehi
AU - Mahmoud Hajiahmadi
AU - Sahar Sadr Moharerpour
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Caspian journal of internal medicine
DO - 10.22088/cjim.17.3.546
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923635
AB - 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.
SN - 2008-6164
SN - 2008-6172
ER -