Growth plate injury of the long bones in treated beta-thalassemia.

In 12 patients affected by thalassemia major who received an intensive transfusion regimen combined with continuous iron chelation therapy (desferrioxamine 50-80 mg/kg daily), radiologic abnormalities of the long bones were observed similar to those observed in rickets and scurvy. These abnormalities were associated with a growth retardation. The pathogenesis of these lesions is uncertain, but probably the toxic effect of desferrioxamine plays an important role in their development. A relative deficiency of vitamins D and/or C cannot be entirely excluded.