Successful chelation in beta-thalassemia major in the 21st century.

This century has seen a revolution the management of beta-thalassemia major. Over a 12-year period to 2016, we aimed to analyze the benefits of such advances. In 209 patients, independent of the chelation regimen, ferritin, cardiac T2* and liver iron concentration changes were evaluated.

Experiences, Knowledge Gaps and Information Needs of Women in Australia with Transfusion Dependent Thalassaemia in Regard to Fertility and Pregnancy.

Objectives: Transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia can have significant effects on fertility and is also associated with significant risks in pregnancy. However, little is known about the perspectives of women living with the condition with regards to reproductive issues. The aim of this study was to assess the experience, knowledge and information needs of Australian women living with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia in relation to fertility and pregnancy.

Urinary iron excretion for evaluating iron chelation efficacy in children with thalassemia major.

Background: In patients with thalassemia major, examination routinely used for the evaluation of iron load in Indonesia is serum ferritin, but it is strongly influenced by other factors such as infections, inflammation and vitamin C levels. Evaluation of urinary iron excretion is an important and easy method to indicate iron chelation efficacy.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of iron chelation therapy by urinary iron examination and to evaluate its correlation with the time of transfusion, serum ferritin level, transferrin saturation and T2* MRI.

Safety and efficacy of early start of iron chelation therapy with deferiprone in young children newly diagnosed with transfusion-dependent thalassemia: A randomized controlled trial.

Iron overload is inevitable in patients who are transfusion dependent. In young children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT), current practice is to delay the start of iron chelation therapy due to concerns over toxicities, which have been observed when deferoxamine was started too early. However, doing so may increase the risk of iron accumulation that will be manifested as toxicities later in life.