Endocrine complications of thalassemia

Growth, sexual development, fertility, bone mineral density, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, and hypoadrenalism are the main issues to be addressed in the long-term follow-up of patients with thalassemia. During childhood, growth may be affected by anemia, and other potential...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of endocrinological investigation 2001-10, Vol.24 (9), p.716-723
Main Authors: Tiosano, D, Hochberg, Z
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bone Diseases - etiology
Child, Preschool
Diabetes Mellitus - etiology
Endocrine System Diseases - etiology
Glucose Intolerance - etiology
Growth Disorders - etiology
Human Growth Hormone - physiology
Humans
Infant
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - physiology
Puberty
Thalassemia - complications
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Growth, sexual development, fertility, bone mineral density, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, and hypoadrenalism are the main issues to be addressed in the long-term follow-up of patients with thalassemia. During childhood, growth may be affected by anemia, and other potential endocrine complications. Puberty is the stage of the maximal growth insult. Beta thalassemia is associated with bone abnormalities characterized by bone marrow expansion of the medullary cavity, and osteopenia with cortical thickening and trabecular coarsening. Good nutrition with adequate vitamins and trace elements intake, along with calcium and vitamin D supplementation, can increase bone density and prevent bone loss. Endocrine abnormalities should be monitored carefully and a thorough endocrine evaluation should be carried out yearly in every patients to detect subclinical endocrinopaties.
ISSN:0391-4097
1720-8386
DOI:10.1007/BF03343916