Radioisotope investigations in some hemolytic disorders of children.

Ferrokinetics and life-span of erythrocytes were investigated with 59Fe and 51Cr respectively, in 15 children with thalassemia major, aged between 18 months and 15 years (five of which had been splenectomized), and in 8 children with hereditary spherocytosis aged between 12 and 14 years. In all cases studied with 59Fe there was low tracer incorporation in erythrocytes, but no correlation of this parameter to the amount of Hb F. The use of radioisotopes in studies of hemolytic disorders of children is stressed, primarily when splenectomy is considered. Investigation of ferrokinetics in thalassemic children is useful for monitoring advanced stages of the disease.