title: Desferioximine induced Ototoxicity in Thalassemic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thalassemia is a hereditary disorder requiring regular blood transfusion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine hearing sensitivity in transfusion-dependent thalassemics who were receiving desferioximine and on oral iron chelation (desferioximine) therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  26 patients with B-thelassemia in the age range of 5-22 years were enrolled in the thalassemia transfusion unit in the Advanced Pediatric Center of Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India. The patients to be enrolled in this study were randomly selected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was observed that the hearing deteriorated in patients who were given injected desferioximine whereas it fell within normal limits in case of those who were given oral iron chelation therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms the necessity of regular audiological monitoring during the course of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Speech and Hearing Unit, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research Chandigarh (160012), INDIA.
authors.forename: Dharam
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vir
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research Chandigarh (160012), INDIA.
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Panda
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research Chandigarh (160012), INDIA.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Marwaha
keywords: Desferioximine; Injection therapy; Oral therapy; Thalassemia