Effect of desferrioxamine B on hemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Twenty-four infants and children suffering from glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency during hemolytic crisis were included in this study. Their ages ranged between 3 and 36 months with a median of 10 months. 22 were males and 2 were females. Fourteen out of them received a single bolus dose of desferrioxamine B 500 mg intravenously followed by packed red cell transfusion, while the remaining 10 cases were only transfused. Sequential estimation of hemoglobin level, reticulocytic count and hemoglobinuria was done before treatment, 3, 24, 48 and 72 h thereafter. The hemoglobin level was higher in the desferrioxamine B group. The degree of increase was statistically significant at 48 and 72 h (p less than 0.01). Hemoglobinuria stopped in 78.5% in the first group and only in 30% of the second group at 72 h. It was concluded that desferrioxamine B is helpful in shortening the course of hemolytic crisis in G6PD-deficient patients. It could be used as an adjuvant to packed red cell transfusion.