Reticuloendothelial phagocytic function in children with beta-thalassemia major.

Reticuloendothelial phagocytic capacity (REPC) was determined in 14 children with beta-thalassemia major, by means of technetium 99m sulfur colloid uptake, who had not had splenectomy. No difference was observed in the REPC between patient and controls. The REPC of liver and spleen were evaluated separately by determining the half-time for the clearance of 99mTc from the blood. The REPC of both liver and spleen in patients was expected to be decreased when compared with controls; however, we found that the REPC of the liver was increased in patients and that there was no difference between patients' and controls' spleen values. This suggests that chronic anemia and hemosiderosis do not alter the REPC in beta-thalassemia major.