Nutrition in Thalassemia: A Systematic Review of Deficiency, Relations to Morbidity, and Supplementation Recommendations

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#dietary-supplements #humans #nutritional-status #nutritional-support #practice-guidelines-as-topic

Nutrition in Thalassemia: A Systematic Review of Deficiency, Relations to Morbidity, and Supplementation Recommendations

Goldberg et al., 2022 | J Pediatr Hematol Oncol | Systematic Review

Citation

Goldberg Elijah K, Lal Ashutosh, Fung Ellen B. Nutrition in Thalassemia: A Systematic Review of Deficiency, Relations to Morbidity, and Supplementation Recommendations. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2022-Jan-01;44(1):1-11. doi:10.1097/MPH.0000000000002291

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Reports of nutritional deficiencies in patients with thalassemia (Thal) are common. Despite its importance, however, nutritionally focused research in Thal has been limited by inadequate sample size, inconsistent methodology, a lack of control comparisons, and few interventional trials. Due to these limitations, clinicians lack evidence-based nutrition recommendations to support clinical decision-making. This systematic review summarizes observed relationships between nutrition and morbidity in Thal published in the last 3 decades. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were screened for articles pertaining to nutrition in Thal using comprehensive search terms. Studies performed in humans, written in English, and published between 1990 and 2020 were included. Over 2100 manuscripts were identified, from which 97 were included. RESULTS: Patients with Thal were most often deficient in vitamins A, C, D, selenium, and zinc. Prevalence of nutritional deficiency was positively correlated with age and iron overload. Evidence to support the role of vitamin D and zinc for bone health was observed; zinc was also found to improve glucose metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the risk for multinutrient deficiency, nutritional status should be assessed annually in patients with Thal with prompt nutrient replacement when deficiency is detected. Routine supplementation with vitamin D and zinc is recommended.

Key Findings

Patients with Thal were most often deficient in vitamins A, C, D, selenium, and zinc. Prevalence of nutritional deficiency was positively correlated with age and iron overload. Evidence to support the role of vitamin D and zinc for bone health was observed; zinc was also found to improve glucose metabolism.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population thalassemia
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Nutritional Status
  • Nutritional Support
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Thalassemia
  • Vitamins

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: selenium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09