Discussion
When bone marrow transplant is not feasible for medical or
financial reasons, regular PRBC transfusion is the mainstay
of treatment for thalassemia major patients. However, this
brings some undesired effects by leaving a deposit of iron
in various organ systems. It therefore becomes important to
reduce this harm by chelating excess iron and monitoring
the side effects. Our patients received regular transfusions
of PRBCs, and all of those who were eligible to receive iron
chelation agents were prescribed either deferiprone (75%)
or deferasirox (25%). They were monitored clinically and
required regular laboratory tests.