Tolerance induction to deferasirox in a child with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia

Abstract

Beta thalassemias are autosomal recessive hemoglobin disorders related to a defect in the beta-globin chain production. Most of the major forms of beta-thalassemia are transfusion dependent leading to iron overload. Today, three iron chelators are available in France. We report the case of a patient suffering from β⁺ major transfusion-dependent thalassemia who presented with severe skin reactions to deferoxamine and deferasirox as well as with agranulocytosis after deferiprone administration. The patient benefited from successful tolerance induction to deferasirox. With the increasing number of children suffering from iron overload, we believe that our protocol can be useful to pediatric hematology teams confronted with multiple iron chelator reactions.

Keywords: Iron chelator; Iron overload; Pediatric; Thalassemia; Tolerance induction.