Pulmonary function in thalassemia major.

Pulmonary function tests were evaluated in 28 Chinese patients with beta-thalassemia major receiving regular transfusions and desferoxamine, and in 34 height-matched normal Chinese children. Comparison of lung function using analysis of covariance with reference to standing height showed that patients with thalassemia had a proportional decrease in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory flow volume in 1 second, whereas their expiratory flow rates, residual volume, and total lung capacity were comparable to those in normal children. The single-breath carbon monoxide diffusion capacity was normal. Our findings suggest that children with thalassemia major have mild restrictive lung disease. The previous controversy regarding the presence of restrictive or obstructive lung disease in patients with thalassemia may be related to the use of inappropriate control values.