Table 1.

Indications to begin chronic transfusion therapy in HbE β thalassemia

Indications
Hb <6 g/dL at baseline 
Hb 6-8 g/dL accompanied by symptoms 
 • Growth 
  − Infants (<2 y): failure to gain weight for 3 mo 
  − Children: Height velocity <3 cm/y 
  − Older children: Delay in puberty: >12 y in females, >13 y in males, endocrine evaluation 
 • Skeletal facial changes: subjective, discuss with patient and family 
 • Splenomegaly: Spleen >6 cm, or enlargement >1 cm/y after 2 y of age 
 • Extramedullary hematopoiesis: symptomatic or moderate to large masses 
 • Cerebrovascular: overt stroke, silent infarcts, arterial narrowing, moyamoya 
 • Venous thromboembolism 
 • Pulmonary hypertension 
 • Osteoporotic fracture 
 • Quality of life in adults: decline in capacity to work or perform usual activities 
Indications
Hb <6 g/dL at baseline 
Hb 6-8 g/dL accompanied by symptoms 
 • Growth 
  − Infants (<2 y): failure to gain weight for 3 mo 
  − Children: Height velocity <3 cm/y 
  − Older children: Delay in puberty: >12 y in females, >13 y in males, endocrine evaluation 
 • Skeletal facial changes: subjective, discuss with patient and family 
 • Splenomegaly: Spleen >6 cm, or enlargement >1 cm/y after 2 y of age 
 • Extramedullary hematopoiesis: symptomatic or moderate to large masses 
 • Cerebrovascular: overt stroke, silent infarcts, arterial narrowing, moyamoya 
 • Venous thromboembolism 
 • Pulmonary hypertension 
 • Osteoporotic fracture 
 • Quality of life in adults: decline in capacity to work or perform usual activities 

or Create an Account

Close Modal
Close Modal