A STUDY ON CHILDRENS CONDITION THALASSEMIA USING NEUTRON-ACTIVATION ANALYSIS AND OTHER TECHNIQUES

In this study, 50 thalassemia patients were tested using dual-energy X -ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and in vivo neutron activation analysis (IV NAA) to determine their bone mineral status. Both techniques were suit able for this purpose. Lower age was found to correspond to lower live r iron content and higher bone mineral content in the normal range. Pa tients undergoing treatment with transfusion had higher bone mineral c ontent. Osteopenic patients had higher hepatic iron content than those with normal bone status. In the case of DEXA, bone mineral content (B MC) divided by height cubed was found to be a better indicator of bone mineral status than the BMD usually given. Liver density as determine d by DEXA correlates well with hepatic iron