Katz K, Horev G, Goshen J, Tamary H
Orthopedic Surgery Unit, Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva.
Isr J Med Sci. 1994 Aug;30(8):577-80.
Twenty-eight patients with thalassemia major were treated with frequent blood transfusions for 10-25 years. Eleven (39%) had radiographic signs of osteoporosis, and four (14%) presented with fractures. Keeping hemoglobin level above 9.0 g/dl reduced osteoporosis and the incidence of fractures but did not prevent them. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head and distal femur, not previously reported, was noted in two patients.
