Three-Dimensional Craniofacial Characteristics in Transfusion-Dependent and Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia...

Anemia in beta-thalassemia leads to extramedullary hematopoiesis and observable craniofacial changes. Unlike traditional 2-dimensional studies in the literature, in this study, we aimed to demonstrate craniofacial changes in transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) and transfusion-independent thalassemia (NTDT) patients in 3 dimensions using the Artec EVA 3D device.

This study enrolled 60 participants, 23 with TDT, 17 with NTDT, and 20 healthy individuals. We digitized participants' faces and conducted 17 measurements on the forehead, nose, cheekbone, and mouth regions, encompassing asymmetry, area, volume, linear dimensions, and geodesic features.

Regardless of age, none of the 17 parameters in the TDT group demonstrated significant differences compared with healthy controls, while 6 parameters in the NTDT group did. TDT group parameters did not exhibit significant differences among individuals under 18, whereas 3 parameters in the NTDT group did. Conversely, for participants above 18 years old, 1 parameter in the TDT group and 7 in the NTDT group displayed significant differences.

This study provides novel insights by employing 3D craniofacial measurements in thalassemia patients, particularly highlighting data from the NTDT group, where bone marrow suppression from transfusions was not a factor. The study also demonstrates that craniofacial changes can be prevented through regular transfusions.