Erythrocyte Glutamine Level Relation to Pulmonary Hypertension Risk in Beta Thalassemia Major Children

Erythrocyte Glutamine Level Relation to Pulmonary Hypertension Risk in Beta Thalassemia Major Children in Assiut University Children Hospital

The study will investigate the relation between erythrocyte glutamine/glutamate ratio and pulmonary hypertension risk in Egyptian thalassemic children in Assiut University Children Hospital

Inclusion Criteria:

• Established diagnosis of Thalassemia.
• PH risk documented by doppler echocardiography, defined as tricuspid regurge velocity (TRV) equal to or greater than 2.5 m/s

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute crisis or hospitalization within 1 month of enrollment
• Hepatic dysfunction (SGPT greater than 3X normal)
• Renal dysfunction (Creatinine greater than 2X normal)
• Patients on sildenafil (Viagra), calcium channel blockers or other drugs for the control of PH.