HSCT for Hemoglobinopathies: Where Do We Stand?
A study reports increased rates of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) among U.S. children with sickle cell disease between 2006 and 2019. But has higher use of HSCT translated into improved mortality?
Screening for the β-Thalassemia Trait in Iron-Deficient Children: Are HbA2 Measurements Reliable?
According to this study, more than half of children with the beta (β)-thalassemia trait and iron deficiency had hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) levels in the diagnostic range, supporting the potential of HbA2 as a screening tool for this inherited blood disorder.
Iron Chelation Therapies in Beta-Thalassemia: Which One Does the Best Job?
Researchers recently examined how different iron chelation medications—deferoxamine, deferiprone, and deferasirox—impacted iron stores and long-term health in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia.
New Discovery: Haplotype Associated with Alpha-Thalassemia
For the first time, a study has demonstrated an association of the HS-40 haplotype D with the 3.7 kb α-thalassemia deletion, a finding that may one day have significant clinical importance. Read on to learn more.
The Burden of Thalassemia and the Road to Better Outcomes
The global burden of thalassemia has had geographic and demographic shifts in disease distribution over 30 years, with an overall decrease in burden, but an increase in cases among the elderly population.
Conception and Pregnancy in the Setting of Thalassemia: Multidisciplinary Recommendations
Conducting a comprehensive literature review, a group of U.K.-based medical experts have updated the guidelines for managing conception and pregnancy in women with thalassemia. Here’s what treating physicians and their healthcare teams need to know.
Brain Hyperperfusion and Anemia in Beta-Thalassemia: Implications for Cognitive Function
Using magnetic resonance imaging in patients with β-thalassemia, researchers confirmed that there’s an increase in cerebral blood perfusion secondary to anemia severity, leading to a new theory for brain injury in these patients.
In Children With Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia, When Should Iron Chelation be Initiated?
While early treatment is crucial to prevent complications in children with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT), challenges exist for initiating iron chelation therapy for very young patients, particularly for those under the age of 2.