title: Reevaluation of iron absorption and serum ferritin in beta-thalassemia intermedia.
abstract: In order to reassess the need for iron chelation therapy in nontransfused patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia, serum ferritin level and ferrous iron absorption from the gastrointestinal system were measured in 43 (23 male and 20 female) patients (mean age 13.4 +/- 7.5). The mean hemoglobin value was 8.6 +/- 1.3 g/dL and serum ferritin 303 +/- 207 ng/mL. Absorption of ferrous iron salt was determined in 21 patients by measuring serum iron before and 3 hours after giving ferrous salt orally at 1 mg/kg. The means of the increase in serum iron values were 39 +/- 45, 105 +/- 46, and 224 +/- 112 micrograms/dL in patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia, normal subjects, and patients with iron deficiency anemia respectively. Differences in the means in three groups were significant (p < 0.001). This study shows that iron absorption from the gastrointestinal system as ferrous salt is not accelerated in patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia. The serum ferritin level in these patients is not high enough to necessitate iron chelation therapy.
authors: Children's Medical Center, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Gümrük
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Gürgey
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Duru
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Altay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D013156:Splenectomy; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron