The effect of zinc deficiency and iron overload on endocrine and exocrine pancreatic function in children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia: a cross-sectional study

Table 3 Pancreatic functions and zinc level of TDT children according to their ferritin threshold

Variables	Serum ferritin < 2500 (ng/ml) N = 40	Serum ferritin ≥ 2500 (ng/ml) N = 40	p	Odds ratio (95% CI)
I. Endocrine pancreatic function
1) OGTT
Impaired: n (%)	6 (15%)	8 (20%)	0.02*	1.4 (0.4–4.5)
2) Insulin (μIu/ml):
Mean ± SD	12.9 ± 10.9	14.35 ± 10.68	0.6
High: n (%)	16 (40%)	32 (80%)	0.001*	4.2 (1.08–16.6)
3) HOMA-IR
Mean ± SD	2.71 ± 2.29	3.1 ± 2.58	0.6
High: n (%)	18 (45%)	14 (35%)	0.1	0.7 (0.3–1.6)
II. Exocrine pancreatic function
1) Serum amylase (Iu/ml):
Mean ± SD	57.55 ± 16.97	64.85 ± 18.81	0.2
Low: n (%)	14 (35%)	12 (30%)	0.07	0.8 (0.3–2)
2) Serum lipase (u/l):
Mean ± SD	40.23 ± 9.91	38.6 ± 8.5	0.03*
High: n (%)	8 (20%)	20 (50%)	0.005*	4 (1.5–10.8)

CI confidence interval; OGTT Oral glucose tolerance test; HOMA-IR Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance
* Statistical significance< 0.05

ISSN: 1471-2431