الفهرس 
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Abstract
This case-controlled study included 60 patients who were on regular blood transfusion in Department of Pediatrics and out patient clinic in Beni-Suef University Hospital.The patients were divided into 3 groups 20 patients receiving deferasirox and another 20 are receiving deferiprone, the third group was formed of 20 thalassemic patients not receiving any chelators as control (non chelator ) . They were exposed to the same history taking, clinical examination and laboratory investigations.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the new oral chelator deferasirox on serum zinc levels and to compare it with deferiprone chelation therapy and to compare it with thalassemic patient not taking cheletors.
In our study, serum zinc level was found to be 64.4±20.3 umol/l in the deferasirox group, and 65± 17 umol/l in the deferiprone group, and 90.7±17.1 umol/l in the control group. The serum zinc levels were significantly higher in the control group than the other groups (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the two iron chelation groups.
As a conclusion, the accurate measurement of iron deposits allows better management of iron overload with chelators. Zinc deficiency is noted in patients with TM undergoing chelation treatment.
Further studies are recommended to investigate the zinc status in thalassemic children, as the zinc is a very important element for their grouth.