Efficacy and safety of high dose hydroxyurea in transfusion dependent thalassemic children: a quasi experimental study

Authors

  • Kiran Suthar Department of Pediatrics, RNT Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Pramod Sharma Department of Pediatrics, Dr SN Medical College, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
  • Manish Verma Department of Pediatrics, JLN Medical College, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
  • Vishnu Kr. Goyal Department of Pediatrics, Dr SN Medical College, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20172697

Keywords:

Haemoglobin F, High dose hydroxyurea, Transfusion dependent thalassemia

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to find out whether high dose hydroxyurea is an effective and safe modality, in inducing haemoglobin synthesis to decrease blood transfusion requirement in transfusion dependent thalassemics.

Methods: This quasi experimental un-control before and after comparison study was conducted in Thalassemia Day Care Centre, Department of Pediatrics over a period of six months after obtaining an approval from the Institute’s ethical committee. Fifty transfusions dependent thalassemic children belonging from 2 to 18 yrs were given hydroxyurea in dose of 20mg/kg after getting consent. Pre and post intervention haemoglobin and HbF levels were obtained using Hb electrophoresis by HPLC. Paired t test was applied to find out statistical significance and p value <0.05 was taken as significant.

Results: Significant rise in haemoglobin pre and post intervention (p<0.001) but the rise in HbF was not significant (p=0.110). One patient had bone marrow depression which was reversible with drug withdrawal and one patient had rise in s. creatinine.

Conclusions: High dose hydroxyurea is an effective and safe drug in inducing Hemoglobin synthesis in transfusion dependent thalassemics. 

 

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Published

2017-06-21

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Original Research Articles