[Long-term study in congenital refractory anemia and secondary siderosis]

It is reported on the course of the disease in a female patient with congenital therapy-refractory anaemia, in whom a transfusion siderosis of high degree with functional disturbances of the myocardium and the liver, with endocrine disturbances (primary hypothyroidism and normogonadotropic hypogonadism) and with small growth became clinically manifest. A reduction of the iron overload by a continuous desferrioxamine therapy in form of long-term subcutaneous infusions over two years could be proved. Possibilities and problems of treatment and conclusions relevant to practice are described.