Late effects of bone marrow transplantation for thalassemia

Long term effects of BMT in thalassemia were monitored in 33 patients transplanted between 1987 and 1995 and compared with 155 patients matched for age and treated during the same period with conventional therapy (CT). The incidence of fulminant sepsis and growth impairment was significantly higher in transplanted patients, whereas the occurrence of hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and cardiopathy was higher in CT patients. For diabetes, liver disease, and severe infections, the differences were not statistically significant. After BMT we performed monthly erythrocytaferesis for iron removal in 23 (70%) patients, obtaining a complete normalization of iron stores in 91% of cases; among untreated patients, 60% had evidence of iron up to 8.3 years after BMT. Protection against poliovirus, tetanus, diphtheria, and hepatitis B has been lost in 74%, 47%, 78%, and 44%, respectively. After BMT a careful follow-up is needed to monitor and treat late transplant-related and thalassemia-related complications.