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Treating Iron Overload in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease
U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) guidelines for the management of sickle cell disease state that, even in patients who receive intermittent transfusions, "a comprehensive program to monitor and treat iron overload is necessary" (1).
NHLBI recommendations for monitoring iron overload
NHLBI guidelines state that (1):
- Screening for iron overload with serum ferritin testing is recommended at the onset of transfusions.
- Iron overload is likely to be detected after 20 transfusions.
- Liver biopsy is the most accurate test for confirming iron overload in SCD.
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The National
Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute
(NHLBI) provides guidelines for the management of sickle cell disease.
Reference
- (1) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The Management of Sickle Cell Disease. 4th ed. Bethesda, Md: National Institutes of Health; 2002. NIH publication 02-2117.