title: [Evaluation of heart and liver iron deposition status in patients with β- thalassemia intermedia and major with MRI T2* technique].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the status of iron deposition in patients with β-thalassemia intermedia and major in mainland China.
  
  
  METHODS
  The status of transfusion and chelation was examined in 39 patients with β-thalassemia intermedia or major. Serum ferritin levels were measured. MRI T2* technique was used to detect cardiac and hepatic iron deposition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum ferritin levels ranged from the minimum of 1500 ng/mL up to a maximum of 11491 ng/mL. From liver MRI T2* measurement, 15 cases had severe hepatic iron deposition (38%) and moderate deposition was found in 15 cases (38%), mild in 7 cases (18%), and normal in 2 cases (5%). Heart MRI T2* showed severe heart iron deposition in 7 cases (18%), mild in 5 cases (13%), and normal in 27 cases (69%). One case had cardiac arrhythmia. Four cases were over 20 years of age, and presented with gonadal function hypoplasia. The majority of patients did not receive regular transfusion and they had delayed, suboptimal chelation due to financial problems. Serum ferritin level was closely related with timing and dosage of chelation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with β-thalassemia who do not receive early regular transfusion and iron chelation therapy, iron deposition may occur at an early age. Important organs and tissue functional lesions and related complications also result. Relevant agencies and family members should be aware of this trend and develop appropriate strategies to improve the medical condition and quality of life of patients with this disorder.
authors.affiliation: Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. lica6336@sina.com
authors.forename: Chang-Gang
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Si-Xi
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hui-Rong
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Mai
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fei-Qiu
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Ri-Yang
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xin-Hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Winnie Chiu Wing
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Wing-Yan
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Au
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron