Desferioximine induced Ototoxicity in Thalassemic patients

BACKGROUND Thalassemia is a hereditary disorder requiring regular blood transfusion. PURPOSE To determine hearing sensitivity in transfusion-dependent thalassemics who were receiving desferioximine and on oral iron chelation (desferioximine) therapy. METHODS 26 patients with B-thelassemia in the age range of 5-22 years were enrolled in the thalassemia transfusion unit in the Advanced Pediatric Center of Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India. The patients to be enrolled in this study were randomly selected. RESULTS It was observed that the hearing deteriorated in patients who were given injected desferioximine whereas it fell within normal limits in case of those who were given oral iron chelation therapy. CONCLUSON This study confirms the necessity of regular audiological monitoring during the course of the disease.