Comparative efficacy of desferrioxamine, deferiprone and in combination on iron chelation in thalassemic children.
OBJECTIVE
Ascertainment of an appropriate strategy of iron chelation for multi-transfused thalassemic children in developing countries.


METHODS
Prospective study from May 2000 to April 2001.


METHODS
Urban tertiary care center.


METHODS
Thirty thalassemic children having received more than 20 blood transfusions and a serum ferritin greater than 1500 ng/ml were enrolled and randomized into three groups. Group I received desferrioxamine (DFX) at a dose of 40 mg/kg subcutaneously, 5 days/week. Children in group II received oral deferiprone (L1) at a dose of 75 mg/kg/day daily and group III received a combination of daily L1 at a dose of 75 mg/kg/day and DFX at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day two times per week. The assessment of chelation was done by 24-hr urinary iron excretion (UIE) and measurement of serum ferritin levels at start and after 6 months of follow up. Statistical difference of serum ferritin levels between the three groups was assessed by applying analysis of variance. Analysis of covariance was applied to find out the urinary iron excretion keeping serum ferritin values same in each groups.


RESULTS
Ferritin levels after 6 months of intervention were maximally decreased in group I. There was a significant difference between groups I and II however, no difference was noted between groups I and group III. There was no statistically significant difference in mean urinary iron excretion by keeping the initial serum ferritin levels equal though it was found to be more in group III as compared to other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
DFX is the most effective chelating drug in iron overloaded multi-transfused thalassemic patients. In view of cost and unacceptability of daily DFX injections, combination therapy is an effective method of chelation thus increasing the compliance and cost effectiveness. Deferiprone (L1) alone is not an effective mode of chelation when used for a short period.
Gomber
Sunil
S
Department of Pediatrics and Pathology, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi 110 095, India. sunilgomber@hotmail.com
Saxena
Rohit
R
Madan
Nishi
N
D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D000077543:Deferiprone; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011728:Pyridones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy
D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D011728:Pyridones; D000077543:Deferiprone; D005293:Ferritins; D003676:Deferoxamine