Evaluation of Tissue Transglutaminase IgA in Thalassemia Minor Patients. Asian J. Med. Pharm. Res., 7 (1): 19- 24.;

Minor beta thalassemia is a common condition in children. The aim of the present study was the investigation of serum tissue transglutaminase IgA level as potential celiac disease in patients with thalassemia minor. This case control study was conducted on patients with beta thalassemia minor and healthy children in the years of 2014 to 2015. A total of 300 children were enrolled and IgA and tissue transglutaminase IgA levels were measured. The normal limit of tissue transglutaminase IgA was considered to be 20 IU/mL. Data analysis was performed using SPSS20 with 95% confidence of interval. Two groups of participants were matched regarding sex (Chi-Square=0.436 and P=0.509). Mean age of participantswas8.46 ± 4.54 and 7.74 ± 2.99 in minor and control respectively. Means of age, body mass index and serum tissue transglutaminase values were different between case and control while only serum tissue transglutaminase was significant (P=0.024). The status of tissue transglutaminase had a significant correlation with case and control (P<0.001). It is concluded that a positive association exists between βthalassemia minor and celiac disease. Based on this result we could suggest a routine screening test for celiac disease in all children with βthalassemia minor.