Skin Disorders in Egyptian Children with β-Thalassemia Major

Abstract

Skin disorders are frequent in Egyptian children with thalassemia major. Careful skin examination is required to provide early diagnosis.

Cutaneous manifestations in Egyptian children with beta‐thalassemia major: Relationship with serum ferritin, thyroid profile, and treatment modalities

“…The presence of numerous immunologic defects in patients with thalassemia explains the urticaria that was detected in 16% of our patients . This finding was consistent with Fahmey and colleagues, who reported urticaria in 16.7% of individuals with thalassemia . Asena and colleagues reported idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis in 6.4% of individuals with thalassemia and urticaria in 3.8%…”

“…High ferritin levels were significantly associated with xerosis, pruritus, idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, and ephelides, as found in other studies…”

“…Scars were hypopigmented, and the lower extremities were the most frequently affected areas, followed by the abdomen. Similarly, Asena and colleagues reported scars in 24.4% of their patients and Fahmey and colleagues in 33.3%. The dark skin of individuals with thalassemia, which severe hemosiderosis causes, may explain this…”

“…We found ephelides (flat, light brown or red freckles that fade in winter) in 13% of our patients. Asena and colleagues reported ephelides in 23.1% of their patients, and Fahmey and colleagues reported them in 14.8%. Iron deposition in the skin might explain ephelides in individuals with thalassemia …”

“…Asena and colleagues reported pruritus in 37.2% of individuals with thalassemia and xerosis in 34.6% . Fahmey and colleagues reported pruritus in 37% of Egyptian individuals with thalassemia …”