Perforated Duodenal Ulcer Associated with Deferasirox in a Child with β-Thalassemia Major.

The oral iron chelator, deferasirox (DFX), is commonly associated with mild gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, but GI hemorrhage and ulcers have occasionally been reported. However, perforated duodenal ulcer (PDU) has been previously reported in only one patient with β-thalassemia major (β-TM) on Exjade (DFXE). We hereby report the second case of a 5-year-old Syrian patient, who recently presented with PDU while on DFXE.