A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of amlodipine on myocardial iron deposition in pediatric patients with thalassemia major.

Background: Mortality rates increase due to iron deposition in the cardiac muscles of thalassemia major (TM) patients. Iron overload cardiomyopathy could be treated with a combination therapy of an iron chelator and an L-type calcium channel blocker. We designed a randomized controlled study to assess the potential of amlodipine, alongside chelation, in reducing myocardial iron concentration in TM patients compared with a placebo.

Effective method of evaluating myocardial iron concentration in pediatric patients with thalassemia major.

Background: The use of T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been promoted by recent studies as a noninvasive method for the detection of iron overload in thalassemia major patients. This study aims to estimate the iron load in the heart and liver of thalassemia major patients using T2* MRI and to determine its correlation with the left ventricle ejection fraction and serum ferritin level.

Methods: Forty β-Thalassemia major patients were included in the study.

Use of lung ultrasound in detection of complications of respiratory distress syndrome.

Repeated chest radiography is required for the diagnosis and follow-up of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and carries the risk of radiation hazards. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a non-invasive bedside diagnostic tool that has proven to be effective in the diagnosis of RDS. Our aim was to assess the role of LUS with respect to the standard chest X-ray (CXR) in the detection of complications of RDS in neonates.