Assessment of transfusion-induced iron overload with T2*MRI in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A case control study.

INTRODUCTION

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors receiving multiple packed red blood transfusions may be at risk of vital organ iron deposition causing long-term complications. This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and severity of iron overload in the liver and heart by magnetic resonance imaging.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted on 60 acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors aged from 6 to 18 years and 60 healthy, age- and sex-matched children as a control group. The hematological profile, and serum ferritin was assessed and the iron content of the liver and heart was measured by T2* magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS

Twenty-six (43.3 %) and two (3.3 %) patients had elevated liver and myocardial iron concentrations, respectively. The statistics show a significantly positive correlation between liver T2* magnetic resonance and serum ferritin. The total volume of blood transfused and duration of follow up were associated with elevated liver iron concentrations (p-values = 0.036 and 0.028 respectively). Myocardial T2* magnetic resonance lacked correlation with serum ferritin and transfusion therapy CONCLUSION: Liver iron overload was detected in children and adolescents after acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapy. The risk of iron overload was related mainly to the transfusion burden during therapy. These patients need monitoring after therapy to assess their need for future chelation therapy.