Desferrioxamine-induced long bone changes in thalassaemic patients - radiographic features, prevalence and relations with growth.

Abstract

AIM:

To study the radiographic findings of desferrioxamine-induced bone dysplasia, its prevalence and relation to growth in thalassaemic patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was performed in 35 thalassaemic patients on a hypertransfusion scheme and chelation therapy at a dose not exceeding 50 mg/kg/day. Radiographs of the left hand taken for bone age assessment in consecutive patients over the past 12 months were evaluated for signs of desferrioxamine-induced bone dysplasia. The findings were correlated with data on growth, chelation and body iron content.

RESULTS:

Twelve of 35 patients had evidence of desferrioxamine-induced long bone dysplasia. There was no significant difference in the groups with and without radiographic evidence of bone dysplasia with respect to the height percentile at time of initiation of therapy, height percentile at time of radiography, skeletal age delay, age at starting chelation, chelation dose and duration, units of blood transfused, average chelation dose, and serum ferritin levels at time of radiography. Both groups showed a reduced percentile growth with a significantly greater reduction (P = 0.03) in the patients with dysplastic change.

CONCLUSION:

Desferrioxamine-induced bone dysplasia is associated with height reduction and can be seen in patients receiving desferrioxamine chelation therapy at doses of less than 50 mg/kg/day. Awareness of the diagnosis is of importance as reduction of the desferrioxamine dose may improve bone growth.

• Authors: Y L Chan, C K Li, L M Pang, K W Chik
• Journal: Clinical radiology (Clin Radiol) Vol. 55 Issue 8 Pg. 610-4 (Aug 2000) ISSN: 0009-9260 [Print] England
• PMID: 10964732 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2000 The Royal College of Radiologists.

Chemical References

• Chelating Agents
• Ferritins
• Deferoxamine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Blood Transfusion (statistics & numerical data)
• Body Height (drug effects)
• Bone Diseases, Developmental (chemically induced, diagnostic imaging)
• Bone and Bones (diagnostic imaging)
• Chelating Agents (adverse effects)
• Child
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Deferoxamine (adverse effects)
• Female
• Ferritins (blood)
• Humans
• Male
• Radiography
• beta-Thalassemia (blood, diagnostic imaging, therapy)