The aim of the present study is evaluating the strength of combination therapy of hydroxy urea, omega 3, nigella sativa and honey on antioxidant-oxidant status (OXIDATIVE STRESS) in response to reactive oxygen species production (LIPID PEROXIDATION) and their effect on iron intoxication (IRON CHELATION) in pediatric major thalassemia.

Beta thalassemia is a blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to cells throughout the body. In people with beta thalassemia, low levels of hemoglobin lead to a lack of oxygen in many parts of the body. Affected individuals also have a shortage of red blood cells (anemia), which can cause pale skin, weakness, fatigue, and more serious complications. People with beta thalassemia are at an increased risk of developing abnormal blood clots. Beta thalassemia is classified into two types depending on the severity of symptoms: thalassemia major (also known as Cooley's anemia) and thalassemia intermedia. Of the two types, thalassemia major is more severe.

Beta-thalassemia syndromes are a group of hereditary blood disorders. It is characterized by reduced beta globin chain synthesis, resulting in reduced Hb in red blood cells (RBC), decreased RBC production and anemia.

Homozygotes for beta-thalassemia may develop either thalassemia major or thalassemia intermedia. Individuals with thalassemia major usually come to medical attention within the first 2 years and require regular blood transfusion to survive.

Affected infants with thalassemia major fail to thrive and become progressively pale. Feeding problems, diarrhea, irritability, recurrent bouts of fever, and enlargement of the abdomen, caused by splenomegaly, may occur. If a regular transfusion program that maintains a minimum Hb concentration of 95-105 g/L is initiated, then growth and development are normal until the age of 10-11 years. After the age of 10-11 years, affected individuals are at risk of developing severe complications related to posttransfusional iron overload, depending on their compliance with chelation therapy.

Complications of iron overload include growth retardation and failure of sexual maturation and also those complications observed in adults with hemachromatosis -associated hereditary hemochromatosis (HH): involvement of the heart (dilated myocardiopathy and pericarditis), liver (chronic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis), and endocrine glands (resulting in diabetes mellitus and insufficiency of the parathyroid, thyroid, pituitary, and, less commonly, adrenal glands).

The underlying basis of b-thalassemia pathology is the diminished b-globin synthesis leading to a-globin accumulation and premature apoptotic destruction of erythroblasts, causing oxidative stress-induced ineffective erythropoiesis.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Any case with full manifestation of β-THALASSEMIA major disease
2. #Aged from 7-15 years old
3. # accompanied with ineffective erythropoiesis
4. # with low hemoglobin level
5. # with iron overload

Exclusion Criteria:

1. The presence of any other chronic illness.
2. Patient age>15 years old or < 7 years old.
3. The presence of concomitant myocardial infarction, stroke, acute chest syndrome.
4. The patient suffers from any other type of anemia.