Beta-thalassemia represents a group of recessively inherited hemoglobin
disorders first described by Cooley and Lee and characterized by reduced
synthesis of β-globin chain. Homozygous state results in severe anemia,
which needs regular blood transfusion. Life expectancy of thalassemia
patients extended dramatically, by combination of transfusion and
chelation therapy in-turn it give rise to various complications severe
hepatosplenomegaly, bone marrow expansion, growth retardation,
congestive heart failure bone deformity or even death. Osteoporosis is
common even in well-treated thalassemic patients. There is only handful
of data reflecting the BMD status of India thalassemic patients. Dual
energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is an excellent non-invasive choice
for repeated measurements of any temporal changes of BMD because of 1%
precision rate and low radiation exposure. BMD is determined by variety
of genetic, environmental factors, its inheritance is thought to be
under polygenic control. There have been conflicting results so far and
genetic susceptibility to osteoporosis isn't fully understood.