Risk factors for hemorrhagic cystitis in children with β-thalassemia major after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the risk factors for hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) in children with β-thalassemia major (TM) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 247 children with TM who underwent allo-HSCT at Shenzhen Children's Hospital from January 2021 to November 2022. The children were divided into an HC group (91 cases) and a non-HC group (156 cases) based on whether HC occurred after operation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors for HC, and the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of related factors for HC.@*RESULTS@#Among the 247 TM patients who underwent allo-HSCT, the incidence of HC was 36.8% (91/247). Univariate analysis showed age, incompatible blood types between donors and recipients, occurrence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), positive urine BK virus deoxyribonucleic acid (BKV-DNA), and ≥2 viral infections were associated with the development of HC after allo-HSCT (P<0.05). Multivariable analysis revealed that incompatible blood types between donors and recipients (OR=3.171, 95%CI: 1.538-6.539), occurrence of aGVHD (OR=2.581, 95%CI: 1.125-5.918), and positive urine BKV-DNA (OR=21.878, 95%CI: 9.633-49.687) were independent risk factors for HC in children with TM who underwent allo-HSCT. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that positive urine BKV-DNA alone or in combination with two other risk factors (occurrence of aGVHD, incompatible blood types between donors and recipients) had a certain accuracy in predicting the development of HC after allo-HSCT (area under the curve >0.8, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Incompatible blood types between donors and recipients, occurrence of aGVHD, and positive urine BKV-DNA are risk factors for HC after allo-HSCT in children with TM. Regular monitoring of urine BKV-DNA has a positive significance for early diagnosis and treatment of HC.

Health-related quality of life and its influencing factors in children with β-thalassemia major and their parents / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with β-thalasse-mia major and their parents,and to analyze its affecting factors.Methods PedsQLTM 4.0 generic core scale and a demographic questionnaire were used to assess HRQoL in 45 children with β-thalassemia major and their parents,which were between 5 and 12 years old,had received blood transfusion in Chengdu Women and Children's Central Hospital during 2016.Results The total summary score of patients' HRQoL was (74.58 ± 7.29) score,in which,the social functioning subscale score was the highest,and school functioning subscale score was the lowest.The total summary score of parents' HRQoL was (64.43 ± 11.54) score,and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Parents' s core of the psychosocial health [(69.03 ± 12.24) score],the emotional functioning [(67.78 ± 12.67)score]and the School functioning [(57.92 ± 11.61) score]were significantly lower than those of children[(78.19 ±13.42) score,(83.75 ±9.05) score,(69.58 ± 10.30) score],and the differences were statistically significant(all P ＜0.05).The HRQoL of children was positively correlated with onset age of anemia and hemoglobin (Hb) level before transfusion (r =0.771,0.824,all P ＜ 0.01),but which was negatively correlated with iron chelation therapy (r =-0.573,P ＜ 0.01).In contrast,gender,frequency of blood transfusions during the previous 3 months,the type of blood transfusion and iron chelation treatment were not significantly related to HRQoL among these patients.All of these factors were not related to the HRQoL of their parents(P ＞ 0.05).A multiple regression analysis revealed that the HRQoL of children with β-thalassemia major was significantly correlated with onset age of anemia(P =0.005),Hb level before transfusion (P =0.026) and iron chelation therapy (P =0.000).Conclusions The HRQoL of children with β-thalassemia major and their parents were remarkably low.Comprehensive programs including social support,medical service and psychological care should be provided for these children and their parents.

Research progress in hypogonadism of patients with β-thalassemia major / 国际儿科学杂志

Hypogonadism is one of the most common endocrine complications in patients with β-thalassemia major (β-TM).It can be clinically characterized by pubertal developmental delay,primary or secondary amenorrhea infertility that would significantly compromises the quality of life of patients with β-TM.Its pathogenesis is complex and may be related to long-term anemia,iron overload,decreased leptin levels,chronic liver disease,transplant pretreatment drugs and so on.Regular monitoring and active intervention are crucial for promoting adolescent development,sexual function maturation and retention of fertility in β-TM patients.However,there is no relevant guidelines and consensus in our country to guide clinicians on the followup of gonadal function in β-TM patients.This review aims to summarize the research progress in hypogonadism of patients with β-TM in order to improve the level of prevention and treatment.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for β-thalassemia major patients using a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of reduced-intensity conditioning regimen used in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for children with β-thalassemia major.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 15 children with β-thalassemia major undergoing allogeneic HSCT with a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen from March 2013 to March 2017.Fifteen patients were diagnosed definitely,and the median age at transplantation was 5 years (range:3-6 years),including 11 with HSCT from unrelated donors (UDs),3 of HLA 8/10 matched and 8 of HLA10/10 matched.The remaining 4 patients out of 15 with HSCT were from related donors with HLA matched,3 donors were siblings and 1 was mother.All patients used a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen.The median mononuclear cell (MNC) dose and CD34 positive cell dose were 11.4 × 108/kg (range:4.8-20 × 108/kg)and 9.8 × 106/kg (range:5.9-27.2 × 106/kg),respectively.Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was prevented by cyclosporine A,methotrexate,MMF and ATGf.Results All 15 patients had successful engraftment.Median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 12 days (range:9-21 days) and 15 days (range:10-25 days) respectively.Two patients developed grades Ⅱ acute GVHD and 4 patients developed chronic GVHD from unrelated donors,while there was no acute GVHD and 1 patient developed chronic GVHD from related donors.No patients suffered from serious transplantation-related complications,such as hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD),hemorrhagic cystitis,EB virus reactivation,CMV reactivation and hepatitis C,etc.The median follow-up time was 24 months (range:2-48 months).All patients were healthy and became transfusion-independent.Conclusion The reduced-intensity conditioning regimen proved to be safe and effective for children with β-thalassemia major given allogeneic HSCT.

MicroRNA expression in patients with β-thalassemia major / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To explore microRNA (miRNA) expression patients with β-thalassemia major.Methods MiRNA differential expression were detected in β-thalassemia major by miRNA microarray analysis and quantitative real-time PCR.Results The results of miRNA array showed that 26 differential expression miRNAs were up regulated and 30 differential expression miRNAs were down regulated.Hsa-miR-618 which expression was up regulated and hsa-miR-103a-2-5p which expression was down regulated were selected for quantitative real-time PCR detection.It was showed that the expression tendency of hsa-miR-618 and hsa-miR-103a-2-5p were consistent.So the method of miRNAs array was reliable.The target genes of 17 miRNAs which were up regulated and 24 miRNAs which were down regulated were predicted by using database software.Conclusion It is notable that the differential expression of miRNAs in patients with β-thalassemia major.It will be afforded new direction and thinking for the mechanism research and disease treatment through the further research of the miRNAs regulation pathway in β-thalassemia major.

Effect of iron chelator desferrioxamine on serum zinc levels in patients with beta thalassemia major

β-thalassemia is the most common genetic disorder worldwide with an increased prevalence around the Mediterranean, Indian subcontinent and in South-East Asia. Various siderotic and non-siderotic complications significantly impact the quality of life. Thalassemic patients are also at risk of zinc deficiency due to diverse causes including desferrioxamine chelation. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of zinc deficiency in beta thalassemia major patients on desferrioxamine for iron chelation. Study design: This was a descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional study over a 6-month period. 63 cases of beta thalassemia major within the age group of 5-15 years on desferrioxamine for at least 1 year, were included. Basic patient demographics such as age, gender and duration of disease were recorded. Serum zinc levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: The mean age of patients was 10.84±3.47 (5 to 15) years. There were 35 (55.6%) males and 28(44.4%) females. The prevalence of zinc deficiency (zinc levels < 50 μg / dl) was 22.2%. Proportions of deficiency were higher in males with a duration of disease beyond 10 years. Conclusions: Zinc deficiency is not uncommon in beta thalassemia patients on desferrioxamine. We suggest that zinc levels be regularly monitored in these patients.

Peripheral blood and hemoglobin electrophoresis pattern in beta thalassemia major patients receiving repeated blood transfusion.

One hundred and fifteen beta thalassemia major outpatients attending the Thalassemia Center Department of Child Health, Medical School University of Indonesia Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital for routine blood transfusion and hematology examination, participated in this study. There was a negative correlation between the size of the spleen and the peripheral blood parameters. All peripheral blood parameters tend to decrease with the enlargement of the spleen, and the condition is reversed after splenectomy. We observed that hypersplenism starts when the spleen is as big as S (V – VI). The hemoglobin electrophoresis pattern from beta thalassemia major patients receiving repeated blood transfusion did not show a dense HbF fraction, 90 patients showed a normal hemoglobin electrophoresis pattern. A hemoglobin analysis of both parents could be useful to confirm the diagnosis of beta thalassemia major for patients receiving repeated blood transfusion. In order to get a definite diagnosis, a genetic analysis by bio molecular technique is needed.

Diabetes mellitus in ß-thalassemia major patients.

β-thalassemia major is a disease caused by β polypeptide chain synthesis disorder which is inherited as an autosomal recessive from both parents which is marked by little or no β globin chain synthesis. Medication for β thalassemia major patients is by repeated blood transfusions, which causes hemochromatosis. Hemochromatosis can occur in various organs including the pancreas. The aim of the study was to assess the alteration of plasma glucose concentration and the hemochromatosis prevalence. Fasting plasma glucose concentration and serum ferritin examination were measured in 115 β thalassemia major patients with ages between 10-23 years who were out-patients in the Thalassemia Centre, Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of Indonesia / Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta. The plasma glucose concentration examination was conducted by the GDH enzymatic method, with American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria in the evaluation, while the serum ferritin examination was conducted with the microparticle enzyme immuno assay (MEIA) method. All patients had hemochromatosis, 14.8% of the patients had impaired fasting glucose level and 2.6% of the patients showed indications of diabetes mellitus. β thalassemia major patients who receive frequent transfusions will develop hemochromatosis that will in turn impair the pancreatic function.