title: Clinical Management of Patients With Thalassemia Syndromes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thalassemia is a chronic inherited blood disorder that reduces hemoglobin production, causing chronic hemolytic anemia. Patients often are diagnosed via newborn screening programs. Patients diagnosed with the most severe form of thalassemia often require chronic red blood cell transfusions to control their anemia. The side effect of chronic transfusions is cumulative iron overload for which chelation therapy is required. The incidence of thalassemia is low; therefore, care is best delivered at specialized treatment centers that offer multidisciplinary coordination.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article reviews the diagnosis, management, and curative options for thalassemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review follows a hypothetical patient with thalassemia and his family through the major stages of the disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increasing knowledge about thalassemia and its management among healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland.
authors.forename: Drucilla
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haines
mesh_terms: D001565:Benzoates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015913:Chelation Therapy; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D001565:Benzoates; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D003676:Deferoxamine
keywords: anemia; deferasirox; deferoxamine; iron chelation; thalassemia; transfusion