Thalassemia Management: Balancing Blood and Iron

People with thalassemia, especially transfusion-dependent thalassemia, face substantial challenges in the successful management of their disorder. Serious complications can develop, affecting quality of life and life expectancy. While regular transfusion therapy improves anemia, it is linked to iron overload and other complications, including bloodborne infections, development of anti-RBC antibodies, and various transfusion reactions. People with thalassemia whose treatment does not require regular transfusion also may develop iron overload due to increased absorption of iron from the diet and iron accumulation from intermittent transfusions. A range of other complications, such as low bone mass, endocrine problems, and pulmonary hypertension, can affect people with any form of thalassemia. Comprehensive care, including close monitoring and treatment adjustments, is required to optimize results. In this webinar, Janet Kwiatkowski, MD, MDCE, provides an overview of current, recommended treatments for people with thalassemia, with an emphasis on transfusion-dependent thalassemia. She discusses transfusion best practices, as well as monitoring and treatment of iron overload.