Effect of Combined Hydroxyurea and Chelation Therapy in Reducing Serum Ferritin Level, Liver and Spleen Size in Transfusion Dependent Thalassaemia Major Patients.

Abstract

Background: To compare hydroxyurea plus iron
chelation therapy with iron chelation therapy alone
in controlling iron overload in children with beta
thalassaemia major.
Methods: In this comparative study forty
thalassaemia major, cases undergoing routine blood
transfusion, were observed in iron chelation plus
hydroxyurea group (n=20) and iron chelation therapy
alone (n=20). The study outcome was measured in
terms of impact of continuous blood transfusions on
the size of liver ,spleen and Serum. Ferritin levels
when compared among those given iron chelation
therapy with hydroxyurea and those given iron
chelation alone.
Results: Mean age of patients was comparable
among the two groups. Overall, males were slightly
greater in proportion than females (52.5% versus
47.5%). The mean liver size, spleen size and ferritin
levels were significantly low in hydroxyurea group
compared to no hydroxyurea group (p-value, <0.001).
Conclusion: Hydroxyurea plus iron chelation
therapy is better than iron chelation therapy alone in
controlling iron overload in terms of enlargement of
liver, and also limiting iron stores.