A newsletter that reviews and summarizes key literature about identification, risks, and management of trans-fusional iron overload.
Download NowA newsletter that reviews and summarizes key literature about identification, risks, and management of trans-fusional iron overload.
Download NowConsequences of Untreated Iron Overload
Iron overload may lead to debilitating and life-threatening problems such as diabetes, heart failure, and poor growth (1-3).
Risks of Serum Ferritin > 1000 mcg/L
In both primary and secondary iron overload, serum ferritin >1000 mcg/L is associated with worsened prognosis (1,4).
Transfusion Burden
As few as 10 lifetime red blood cell transfusions can result in transfusional iron overload (5, 6).
Units* x 10 = Transfusional Iron Overload
*2 units may not always be included in
1 transfusion (eg, for pediatric patients).
References
- (1) Takatoku M, Uchiyama T, Okamoto S, et al. Retrospective nationwide survey of Japanese patients with transfusion-dependent MDS and aplastic anemia highlights the negative impact of iron overload on morbidity/mortality. Eur J Haematol. 2007;78:487-94.
- (2) Olivieri NF, Brittenham GM, Iron-chelating therapy and the treatment of thalassemia. Blood 1997; 89(3):739-61.
- (3) Andrews NC, Disorders of iron metabolism. N Engl J Med. 1999;341(26):1986-95
- (4) Morrison ED, Brandhagen DJ, Phatak PD, et al. Serum ferritin level predicts advanced hepatic fibrosis among U.S. patients with phenotypic hemochromatosis. Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:627-33.
- (5) Porter JB, Practical management of iron overload. Br J Haematol. 2001;115(2):239-52.
- (6) Chapter 5: Iron Overload. Cappellini N, Cohen A, Eleftheriou A, Piga A, Porter J, eds. In: Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Thalassaemia: Thalassaemia International Federation; 2000:21-35