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In this case-control study, 58 transfusion-dependent Thalassemic patients compared with 46 normal healthy persons on study of their thyroid size & function. In this study, thalassemia patients divided in two groups: Group one 31 patients with (Ferritin<1500) and group two 27 patients with (Ferritin>1500) and 3rd one was named control group (46 healthy persons). These groups were compared to achieve the best possible results and conclusion out of 31 patients. From first group 26 people had normal thyroid function test only 5 patients (16%) had goiter. From 27 patients in second group, 5 people (19%) had normal thyroid and 22 patients had goiter, in 3rd group 29% had normal thyroid, the difference between second and third groups were significant (P<0.01). In second group T4 level were lower than control, instead the TSH level were more than control group. The difference in second and third group were significant. The mean of T3 and T4 in group one and three don’t have significant differences. Conclusion: The goiter incidence and hypothyroidism in major Thalassemia with poor control (Ferritin>1500) are high.

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Background and Objective: Malnutrition in hospital increases the mortality of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and related risk factors in hospitalized patients. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 446 patients (217 males, 229 females) during 6 months, admitted to the Taleghani hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2005. Anthropometric measurements and previous admission to hospital in previous 6 months for each patient was recorded. Mild, moderate and severe malnutrition were considered as BMI=18-20 kg/m2 and TSF, or MAMC<10th, or weight loss<5% as BMI=16-18kg/m2 and TSF, or MAMC<5th, or weight loss 5-10% and severe as BMI<16kg/m2 and TSF, or MAMC<5th or weight loss>10% in previous 6 months respectively. Results: The prevalence rate of malnutrition as a general was 52% with following subdivision: 14%, 10% and 28% in mild, moderate and severe, respectively. The highest prevalence of malnutrition observed in gastrointestinal ward, males, those aged 18-29 year and patients with secondary and high school education. In malnourished patients, the prevalence of TSF, MAC and MAMC <5th were significantly more than of well-nourished subjects (P<0.05). Increase BMI per unit decreased the risk of malnutrition by 17% (OR: 0.83 CI: 0.79-0.87). Malnutrition was 64% higher in patients with 1≥ gastrointestinal disturbances, compared with those without it and 2.1 higher in patients with 2≥-hospitalized readmission, compared with subjects without readmission in previous 6 month. Odds ratio of at least one hospitalized admission in previous 6 month was 1.64 in patients with MAC <5th, compared with those with MAC 50-75th (P<0.017). Conclusion: This study showed that Malnutrition upon hospitalization is common in Tehran. BMI, gastrointestinal disturbances, and readmission were associated with malnutrition.