# Late Presentation of β-Thalassemia Major Patient With Left Hemiparesis: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A 12-year-old girl with β-thalassemia major presented late with left hemiparesis at age five, highlighting challenges in managing the condition in resource-limited regions.

## Contribution

Reports a rare case of β-thalassemia major with late presentation and hemiparesis in a South Asian context.

## Key findings

- Patient presented with classic β-thalassemia symptoms after being lost to follow-up.
- Unusual left hemiparesis was observed at age five, a rare complication in β-thalassemia.
- Blood transfusion and iron overload management were initiated following diagnosis.

## Abstract

Thalassemia is a hereditary autosomal recessive disorder that is distinguished by a diminished rate of hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis arising from an anomaly in the synthesis of α or β globin chains. Classical symptoms of β-thalassemia are frequently observed in patients who present late for blood transfusion (BT), which is typical among South Asian countries in light of their limited resources. This case report is an uncommon instance of a typical occurrence that has been infrequently reported in the South Asian region. The reporting of this case will assist healthcare workers in managing cases appropriately. We present a 12-year-old female child diagnosed with β-thalassemia major with a late presentation than usual accompanied by an unusual finding of left hemiparesis at a young age of five years. The patient had been lost to follow-up, presented with easy fatiguability, poor weight gain, and growth restriction, all of which are classic symptoms of β-thalassemia. The patient was treated with a BT and continued to be monitored for transfusion and iron overload management.