title: The pattern of bone disease in transfusion-dependent thalassemia major patients.
abstract: Twenty-eight patients with thalassemia major were treated with frequent blood transfusions for 10-25 years. Eleven (39%) had radiographic signs of osteoporosis, and four (14%) presented with fractures. Keeping hemoglobin level above 9.0 g/dl reduced osteoporosis and the incidence of fractures but did not prevent them. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head and distal femur, not previously reported, was noted in two patients.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Surgery Unit, Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Horev
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goshen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamary
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000209:etiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy