title: Neurological Complications and Cataract in a Child With Thalassemia Major Treated With Deferiprone.
abstract: The oral iron chelator deferiprone is associated with various side effects including agranulocytosis, arthropathy, and deranged liver function tests. Rarely, neurological and visual side effects have been reported with high doses. The authors describe rare neurological manifestations of cerebellar ataxia, hypertonia, and bilateral cataract in an 11-year-old boy with thalassemia major on recommended therapeutic doses of deferiprone. The neurological abnormalities resolved with stoppage of deferiprone. Central nervous system toxicity and lenticular opacities may be attributed to the low molecular weight of deferiprone and its ability to cross the blood-brain and blood-ocular barrier, respectively. Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of neurological abnormalities that may occur during deferiprone therapy.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Division of Neurology, Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College †Department of Ophthalmology, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Nupur
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Parakh
authors.forename: Rajni
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Om
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: DeoNath
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mahto
authors.forename: Bhavna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dhingra
authors.forename: Suvasini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Jagdish
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chandra
mesh_terms: D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002648:Child; D000077543:Deferiprone; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009122:Muscle Hypertonia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011728:Pyridones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D011728:Pyridones; D000077543:Deferiprone