CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 40, no. 1, 2014

Secondary Haemochromatosis in a Patient with Thalassemia Intermedia

[Case Reports]

IONELA ROTARU(1), AMELIA GAMAN(1), G. GAMAN(1)


(1)Department of Hematology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova


Abstract:

Haemochromatosis is due to excessive accumulation of iron in tissues and organs impairing their function. The most common haematologic disorders that are subject to an intensive transfusion regimen bringing excess iron in the body are: thalassemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. The value of serum ferritin in these patients (indicator of iron stores condition) reaches high values. Red cell substitution bringing additional iron intake must be accompanied by administration of chelation therapy in order to prevent haemochromatosis and related complications. We present the case of a patient with thalassemia intermedia, integumentary secondary haemochromatosis, cirrhosis with haemochromatosis, and secondary diabetes, who died at the age of 33 years because of upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to the rupture of oesophageal varices.


Keywords: thalassemia intermedia, haemochromatosis, cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus



Corresponding: Ionela Rotaru, Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2-4 Petru Rares Street, Craiova 200349, Romania; e-mail: rodirot@yahoo.com


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.40.01.13 - Download PDF
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