Transfusion hemosiderosis
Iron overload from repeated blood transfusions damages organs.
Transfusional hemosiderosis is the accumulation of iron in the body resulting from frequent blood transfusions. Iron deposits in the liver, heart, and endocrine organs, and the condition is commonly seen in patients with thalassemia, sickle cell disease, leukemia, aplastic anemia, or myelodysplastic syndrome. Diagnosis involves a blood transferrin test and liver biopsy, while treatment includes venipuncture, erythrocytapheresis, and iron chelation therapy.
Quick Facts
- Field
- Hematology
- Causes
- Frequent blood transfusion
- Diagnosis
- Blood transferrin test, liver biopsy
- Differential
- Other causes of hemosiderosis
- Treatment
- Phlebotomy, erythrocytapheresis
- Medication
- Iron chelation therapy
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Blood ferritin may be increased with a number of other conditions, so it is less reliable for diagnosis.
- The level of siderosis seen in a liver biopsy can be graded by severity.
- Cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrhythmia are often a cause of death.
Mechanism
Hemoglobin in red blood cells contains iron, and the body has limited capacity to store or remove it. Transfused red blood cells have shorter lifespans than native ones, so they die and are consumed by macrophages more frequently. This causes macrophages to die from excess iron, which is then released into the blood. Over time, iron accumulates in the liver, heart, pancreas, and endocrine organs. Free iron increases production of hydroxyl radicals that damage cells, particularly their DNA.
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