[The endocrine complications in thalassemia major]

Abstract

Based on a review of the literature and personal observation, the authors discuss the most frequent endocrine complication that occur in patients with thalassemia major given blood transfusion and chelating therapy. All the complication are attributed to iron overload in the endocrine glands. The authors conclude that an adequate chelating therapy protects against hemosiderosis and thus against endocrine pathologies.