Effect of wheat grass tablets on the frequency of blood transfusions in Thalassemia Major

Indian J Pediatr. 2010 Jan;77(1):90-1. doi: 10.1007/s12098-010-0002-8. Epub 2010 Feb 5.

Abstract

Forty patients of Thalassemia Major children were treated with wheat grass tablets (WGT). The mean hemoglobin in the pre WGT was 8.54 +/- 0.33 g% whereas in WGT period was 9.13 +/- 0.14 g% (p < 0.001). The mean blood transfused as packed cells in pre WGT period was 326.82 +/- 74.10 ml/kg/year whereas during WGT period it was 256.39 +/- 45.47 ml/kg/year. The percentage difference in the amount of packed cells transfused in pre WGT and WGT period was 18.02 +/- 22.96 (p < 0.001). The decrease in the blood transfusion requirements was by 25% or more in 20 (60.6%) cases. The mean interval between the consecutive blood transfusions in Pre WGT period was 18.78 +- 4.48 days whereas in WGT period was 24.16 +- 4.78 days (p < 0.001). Wheat grass has the potential to increase the Hb levels, increase the interval between blood transfusions and decrease the amount of total blood transfused in Thalassemia Major patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Blood Transfusion / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tablets
  • Triticum
  • beta-Thalassemia / therapy*

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Tablets