Desferrioxamine treatment of iron overload secondary to RH isoimmunization and intrauterine transfusion in a newborn infant.

Abstract

Intrauterine transfusion is the standard of care in the management of severe Rh isoimmunization. Desferrioxamine has been used for the treatment of iron overload secondary to hemolysis and intrauterine transfusions in Rh isoimmunization cases. Here, we report a preterm infant born at 34 weeks of gestational age who had formerly received intrauterine transfusions for Rhesus hemolytic disease and presented with severe hyperferritinemia and elevated liver enzymes in the first week of life. Desferrioxamine treatment was started due to a ferritin level of 28,800 ng/ml and continued for 13 weeks. Although the treatment was successful, we observed resistant leukopenia which resolved after the cessation of treatment. In conclusion, iron overload secondary to intrauterine transfusions can be treated successfully with desferrioxamine; however, neonatologists must be aware of the possible side effects of this drug which has been used in only a limited number of newborns.

• Authors: Mehmet Yalaz, Betül Siyah Bilgin, Ozge Altun Köroğlu, Yılmaz Ay, Ciğdem Arıkan, Sermet Sagol, Mete Akısü, Nilgün Kültürsay
• Journal: European journal of pediatrics (Eur J Pediatr) Vol. 170 Issue 11 Pg. 1457-60 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1432-1076 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 21735053 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Siderophores
• Deferoxamine

Topics

• Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine (adverse effects)
• Deferoxamine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Premature
• Iron Overload (drug therapy, etiology)
• Male
• Neutropenia (chemically induced)
• Rh Isoimmunization (complications, therapy)
• Siderophores (adverse effects, therapeutic use)