Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2013[Jun]; 3 (6): ä PMID23732853show ga
During the last 30 years, in addition to the considerable progress made in control and prevention of thalassemias3, there have also been major advances in their symptomatic management, at least in wealthier countries where appropriate facilities are available. Remarkable improvements in survival in the severe forms of thalassemia have followed the more judicious use of blood transfusion and, in particular, the ability to manage the iron accumulation resulting from transfusion with its severe and ultimately lethal effects on endocrine and cardiac function.