Efficacy of Phlebotomy to Reduce Iron Overload in Children with Thalassemia After Bone Marrow Transplantation

บทคัดย่อ

Abstract:

Iron overload is a long-term complication of thalassemic patients receiving bone marrow
transplantation  (BMT). The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of phlebotomy to
reduce s erumf erritini nc hildrenw itht halassemiaa fterB MT. S ubjectsw eres cheduledt oh avep hlebotomy
 (6 mL/kg blood withdrawal at 1- month interval) after at least 1 year post BMT. Data collection
took  place at Ramathibodi Hospital from October 2002 to May 2006. There were 13 patients consisting
of  8 β-thalassemia major and 5 severe β-thalassemia /Hb E disease. The mean age ± standard deviation
 (S.D.) was 10.9± 3.3 years. The mean serum ferritin (±S.D) at the start, 6 months, and 12
months  of phlebotomy were 3,743.8 (± 2,350.7), 2,505.3 (± 1668.5), 2,035.8 (± 1,505.1) ng/ mL, respectively
(p  < 0.001). There was no statistically different of hemoglobin value between before and after phlebotomy
 program. During the study, there was no evidence of iron deficiency anemia or side effects
from  blood withdrawal. In conclusion, monthly phlebotomy is safe and efficient for reducing serum
ferritin  in children with thalassemia after BMT.