Effects of Iron chelators in Beta –Thalassemia

Background : In Thalassemia Iron overload is a predictable complication . One of the main targets of manegment of sever Thalassemia is effective Iron chelation.Aims : This research was designed to compare the effect of deferoxamine alone and combination of deferiprone and deferoxamine on serum ferritin value in major thalassemia patients .Material and Methods : this clinical trial study is conducted on 31 beta thalassemic patients. In one group (G 1) 19 patients received deferoxamine 30 – 60 mg/kg /d for 6-12 hours/ day subcutaneously . In another group ( G2 ) 12 patients received deferoxamine 30 -60 mg/ kg /day subcutaneously and deferiprone 75 mg/ kg /day three times a day orally . serum ferritin was meassured at the start and 6th and 12th month of study .Results : The mean of serum ferritin in G1 increased from 2835 mg /L in start to 2950 mg/ L at 6th month and decreased to 2771 mg / Lat 12th month of study.In G2 the mean of serum ferritin significantly decreased from 7492 mg/L at the start to 4820 mg/L at the 6th an to 4321 mg/L at the 12th month of study. Conclusion : Combined therapy with deferiprone and deferoxamine decreases serum ferritin by a synergistic effect in beta thalassemic patients.