what is the treatment of Thalassaemia Major patient?

Question

How to get latest news and research news about Thalassaemia treatment? and more about it.

Answer 1

Treatment of Thalassaemia Major

Most children with thalassaemia major need blood transfusions every four to six weeks for the rest of their lives. With the regular transfusions, children grow normally, and are able to do all the things the other children do. Unfortunately blood contains iron which the body cannot get rid of naturally. The iron in the transfused cells builds up in the body. After ten or more years, this iron may cause complications which result in poor growth and development, liver and heart disease, and even death.
To prevent these problems, children with thalassaemia major need regular treatment to remove the excess iron from the body. Two drugs are used: Desferral (desferrioxamine) and Ferriprox (deferiprone). Desferral is given by injection, usually under the skin. The injections need to be given every day, usually over several hours, using a special syringe driver (the "pump"). Ferriprox is taken as a tablet every day. Expert advice is needed regarding the choice of drug. Most children have received Desferral in the past. Ferriprox may be more beneficial in some situations. Some patients take both drugs.

In the past before the blood donors were screened other complications of blood transfusion included infections such as hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), caused by viruses. This very rarely occurs nowadays due to better screening for these viruses.

Thalassaemia cannot be cured by drugs, but may be cured by a bone marrow transplant. This is a painful and dangerous treatment, and the patients can die from complications. Bone marrow transplant is best done when a child is fairly young, before the iron build up. However to have a successful bone marrow transplant, there must be a suitable donor who is usually a brother or sister. Many children with thalassaemia cannot have a transplant because they do not have a donor.

Answer 2

Thalassemia is a widely discussed topic on many health websites like MSN HEALTH etc , also I found a ton of info by just googling and on yahoo too.Try this.
As of I know, its a genetic inborn error disorder and takes lots of blood transfusions and iron-high suplements to keep the patient well.They gave suppressed immunity and other related ailments due to acute deficiency of iron and vital minerals in the body.
As of today, the best utilised method of cure is to undergo a BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION.Compatible transplant like that of parent is taken and used to treat the patient,Its a very costly and hard to find procedure .Not many patients can afford it.

In the meantime, blood is transfused to the patient from the abdomen muscles.