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Treatment of β-thalassemia in Algeria |
Cahiers d'études et de recherches francophones / Santé . Volume 1, Number 5, 375-80, Décembre 1991, Étude originale
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 Résumé
Article gratuit
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Author(s) : Pierre Colonna, Tawfiq Henni |
Summary : Five to six hundred homozygous or S or C compound heterozygous β-thalassemic subjects are born every year in Algeria. Because of the shortage of blood donations and the cost of deferrioxamine, modem management is not feasible. We present an analysis of the data provided by four centres. Three centres applied an adapted form of standard treatment, usually without iron chelation, while one used a modem transfusion regimen. The mean hemoglobin value ranged from 7-10 g/dl depending on the quantities of blood transfused. Progressive spleen enlargement was observed in almost all the cases and, when performed, splenectomy was beneficial. Daily oral dosing of penicillin was effective in preventing infections. Red-cell alloimmunization was frequent when ABO - and D-compatible blood was transfused. Children regularly attended school (follow-up: 4-5 years) and parents modified their reproductive behaviour. We concluded that the most useful guidelines for treating β-thalassemia in developing countries are, by order of feasibility, as follows: regular follow-up\; preventive penicillin therapy and folate supplementation\; splenectomy as soon as possible\; Rhesus-and Kell-compatible blood transfusions\; anti-hepatitis B immunization\; D-ferrioxamine iron chelation. |
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