Unraveling Copy Number Alterations in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Correlation with Induction Phase Remission Using MLPA.

Objective: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy occurring in children. Copy number alterations (CNA) like PAX5, CDKN2A/2B, PAR1 Region, ETV6, IKZF1, BTG1, and RB1 gene deletion are important genetic events that define and prognosticate B-cell ALL. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate associations of CNA with induction phase remission status in childhood B-cell ALL.

Comparison of Yearly Cost Related to Complications Between Deferasirox and Deferiprone Monotherapy in Thalassemia.

Background: Hemoglobin disorders such as thalassemia major have created an economic burden on the health care system. Iron chelation therapy (ICT) is the most expensive cost component in patients with thalassemia. ICT was administered to reduce the toxic effects of iron overload.

Validity and reliability test of the Indonesian version of the PedHALshort questionnaire.

Introduction: The PedHAL questionnaire is employed in measuring the activities of haemophilia children. The PedHALshort was developed in 2022 to determine the most relevant item for the assessment. Haemo-QoL questionnaire assesses the quality of life of haemophilia children.

Seroconversion among children with HBsAg-positive mothers in Indonesia and factors affecting the anti-HBs titers.

Background And Aim: Around 2% of newborns are at risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from their mothers. To prevent this, infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers are given hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B (HB) vaccine as immunoprophylaxis. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of immunoprophylaxis in infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers and the contributing factors.

PATTERN DYSTROPHY-LIKE CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH A VERY HIGH SERUM FERRITIN LEVEL IN β-THALASSEMIA MAJOR.

Purpose: To report a rare case of pattern dystrophy-like retinal changes in a young β-thalassemia major patient with a very high serum ferritin level.

Methods: Observational case report of a β-thalassemia major patient with bilateral pattern dystrophy-like retinal changes.

Results: An 18-year-old man experienced blurring of vision in both eyes.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Cluster of Immunocompromised Children in Indonesia.

Background: Thus far, Indonesia has recorded over 4,000,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 144,000 fatalities; 12.8% of cases have been in children under 18 years. Whole-genome viral sequencing (WGS) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been demonstrated to help differentiate hospital-acquired infection from community-acquired coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Novel retinal findings in β-thalassemia major: older age and higher ferritin level as the risk factors.

Purpose: To investigate retinal changes in β-thalassemia major patients and identify their association with systemic risk factors.

Methods: In this prospective study, 120 β-thalassemia major patients received complete ophthalmic examinations (best-corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, color vision, and indirect ophthalmoscopy) and retinal imaging using color fundus photography and fundus autofluorescence imaging. Patients were grouped according to the presence of thalassemia-related retinal changes.

Comparison of Deferiprone to Deferasirox and Deferoxamine to Cardiac and Hepatic T2* MRI in Thalassemia Patients: Evidence-based Case Report.

Background: there are currently three iron chelator readily available for patients Indonesia; deferiprone/DFP (branded as Ferriprox), deferasirox/DFX (branded as Exjade) and deferoxamine/DFO (branded as Desferal). This study aims to determine which iron chelator is the most efficient in reducing cardiac and hepatic iron overload (measured by means of T2* MRI).

Methods: journal search with determined MeSH term was done in PubMed and Scopus.

Pneumococcal vaccination for splenectomized patients with thalassemia major in Indonesia.

Introduction: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a capsulated bacterium that can cause severe infection in patients with thalassemia major, particularly those who have undergone splenectomy. The absence of the spleen as well as zinc deficiency in splenectomized patients with thalassemia major increases the possibility of developing invasive pneumococcal infection. The aims of this study are to evaluate pneumococcal IgG levels following PCV and PPV immunizations and the effect of zinc supplementation on qualitative specific immune responses in splenectomized patients with thalassemia.

The safety, tolerability, and efficacy of a liquid formulation of deferiprone in young children with transfusional iron overload.

Limited data are available on the use of deferiprone in children younger than 10 years of age. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a new liquid formulation of deferiprone for the treatment of transfusional iron overload in children 1-10 years old. One hundred children (91 thalassemia major, 8 Hb E-β thalassemia, and 1 sickle cell disease) were enrolled for a 6-month treatment with deferiprone (50 to 100 mg/kg/d).