Please tell me about the causes of headache in a child with thalassemia major.

Question

Hi doctor,

My son is thalassemia major subject. His age is 6 months (male boy). His weight is 11.02 lbs. He is suffering from headache and fever every now and then. Some times heart beet is fast. His liver and spleen are enlarged. He has been blood transfusion in one time in last week. Now he is taking Folic acid 5 mg (Flovita) 1/2 tablet per day. Kindly suggest if he needs to take any other precaution. Can you please provide a diet chart for my child which can help him to grow up his body.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

He is suffering from thalassemia major. Here there is destruction of the blood cells due to which hemoglobin becomes low frequently. Hence he will need blood transfusions regularly. He is prone for infections because of low hemoglobin which can also cause fast heartbeat and cardiomegaly (increase in size of heart) and tiredness. Hence, please consult a good pediatric hematologist who will make a monthly follow up plan for your baby and monitor his growth, hemoglobin levels and start appropriate treatment based on his health condition and reports.

Continue breast feeding the baby. You can give the normal weaning food. Rest will discussed by the hematologist in detail. His low weight gain is due to the low hemoglobin mainly and not related to food. If his hemoglobin is monitored and maintained at near normal levels his growth will improve.