Desferrioxamine induced urinary iron excretion in thalassemia.

Twenty one children of beta thalassemia major aged between 2 and 14 years of age on regular blood transfusion were given subcutaneous desferrioxamine. Their serum ferritin, 24 hours baseline urinary iron excretion and subcutaneous desferrioxamine induced urinary iron excretion were measured. The result showed a close correlation between serum ferritin and amount of blood transfusions received by the patient. There was good correlation between serum ferritin and desferrioxamine induced urinary iron excretion. A negative iron balance could be achieved in 15 out of 21 children with one dose of desferrioxamine therapy.