الفهرس 
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Abstract
β-thalassemias are a group of hereditary blood disorders characterized by anomalies in the synthesis of the β-chains of hemoglobin resulting in variable phenotypes ranging from severe anemia to clinically asymptomatic individuals. The total annual incidence of symptomatic individuals is estimated at 1 in 100,000 throughout the world. Beta thalassemia is the commonest cause of chronic hemolytic anemia in Egypt due to the combined effect of high carrier rates and consanguineous marriages. The carrier rate varies from 6% to 10% and gene frequency is 0.03. Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone that acts as a major regulator for food intake and energy homeostasis. It has been implicated in the regulation of food intake, energy expenditure and whole-body energy balance in rodents and humans. Leptin has been also implicated in the regulation of immune function and the anorexia associated with disease. The secretion of leptin is affected by food intake, total body fat and serum levels of several hormones and to a lesser extent other peptide hormones such as pancreatic hormones (glucagon, amylin and pancreatic polypeptide) have an influence on the secretion of leptin. Insulin is considered the major regulator of leptin production by adipose tissue.
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of haemosiderosis which occurs in thalassemia on serum leptin level, the possible relationship between leptin and insulin and the impact of this relationship on insulin sensitivity.
The study was conducted in hematology clinic in Alexandria university children hospital. A group of 25 preadolescent children suffering from ß thalassemia major attending for regular follow up at hematology clinic. Another group of 25apparent healthy children with matched age and sex will be included in the study as a control group. An interview questionnaire was used to collect the data required from the mothers and The SPSS 16.0 statistical package was used for data entry and analysis.
The finding of this study was as follows:
• The mean age (years) of children in control group was more than that in cases group. The mean weight (kg), height (cm) and BMI (kg/cm2) were higher in children in control group than those in cases.
• More than three quarters of cases had serum ferritin more than 2000 ng/ml with mean serum ferritin of 3869.04±2078.82 ng/ml.
• The mean serum leptin was higher among children in control group than among cases.
• The mean fasting insulin among children in control group was higher than that among cases while the mean fasting blood sugar level among cases was higher than that among children in control group.
• The mean HOMA IR value was higher among children of the control group than among cases.
• Serum leptin was positively correlated with BMI and negatively correlated with fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin, HOMA IR, and serum ferritin. Serum ferritin was positively correlated fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin, and HOMA IR.