[Dynamics of iron metabolism in patients with homozygotic beta-thalassemia after splenectomy]

Iron metabolism was followed up in patients with homozygotic beta-thalassemia after 6 to 18 months, 2-3 years, and 4 to 12 years after splenectomy. Iron reserves of the body were found gradually increasing with time, this being expressed in very high values of serum and red cell ferritins and serum iron. Noteworthy is also an increase of circulating immune complex levels and appearance of a "free" pool of iron. This necessitates regular check-ups of iron metabolism parameters and timely correction of desferal dose.