THE PATTERN OF BONE-DISEASE IN TRANSFUSION-DEPENDENT THALASSEMIA MAJOR PATIENTS

Twenty-eight patients with thalassemia major were treated with frequen t blood transfusions for 10-25 years. Eleven (39%) had radiographic si gns of osteoporosis, and four (14%) presented with fractures. Keeping hemoglobin level above 9.0 g/dl reduced osteoporosis and the incidence of fractures but did not prevent them. Osteonecrosis of the femoral h ead and distal femur, not previously reported, was noted in two patien ts.