Abstract

Backgrounds: Beta thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by reduced or absent beta chains of hemoglobin resulting in imbalanced globin chain synthesis with early destruction of RBCs and anemia. Patients with thalassemia major become transfusion- dependent with subsequent iron overload. Effective iron chelation therapy remains the main target of management of thalassemia major. Objectives: ‘The aim of this work was to compare the efficacy of different iron chelating agentsʼ in the treatment of ʽ iron overload in children with beta thalassemia majorʼ. Patients and Methods: ‘The current study was conducted on 120 children with beta thalassemia major with serum ferritin level of more than 1000 ng/ml who were divided into 4 groups’: Group A: 30 patients were treated with 8 hours intravenous infusion of Desferrioxamine, ʽ40 mg/kg/day, 6 days per week for 6 monthsʼ. Group B: 30 patients were treated with subcutaneous infusion of Desferrioxamine, 40 mg/kg/day, 6 days per week 8-12 hours per day at night using Desferal pump for 6 months. Group C: 30 patients were treated with oral Deferiprone 75 mg/kg/day in three divided doses daily for 6 months. Group D: 30 patients were treated with oral Deferasirox 30 mg/kg/day in single dose on empty stomach daily for 6 months. ʽFor all patients laboratory investigations were carried out including complete blood count (CBC), measurement of serum ferritin, serum iron, TIBC (total iron binding capacity), liver enzymes and kidney functionsʼ. Results: There were significant reductions in ʽserum ferritin and serum ironʼ after treatment in all studied groups with the highest reduction in group A, group B, group D and group C but without statistically significant differences between the four studied groups before and after chelation therapy. ‘There were no significant differences inʼ the mean values of the parameters of CBC, liver enzymes and kidney functions between the studied groups before and after chelation therapy. Conclusion: From this study we concluded that there was significant reduction in serum ferritin and serum iron after chelation therapy in studied groups with the highest reduction in group A (IV Desferrioxamine), group B (SC Desferrioxamine), group D (oral Deferasirox) and group C (oral Deferiprone) with no statistically significant differences between the studied groups of patients before and after 6 months of regular chelation.

Keywords: Chelation therapy, iron overload, thalassemia.

Graphical Abstract