No difference in myocardial iron concentration and serum ferritin with deferasirox and deferiprone in pediatric patients with hemoglobinopathies: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #child #iron #deferasirox #deferiprone

No difference in myocardial iron concentration and serum ferritin with deferasirox and deferiprone in pediatric patients with hemoglobinopathies: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Saleem et al., 2023 | Transfus Clin Biol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Saleem Arisha, Waqar Eisha, ... Ahmed Jawad. No difference in myocardial iron concentration and serum ferritin with deferasirox and deferiprone in pediatric patients with hemoglobinopathies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Transfus Clin Biol. 2023-Feb;30(1):69-74. doi:10.1016/j.tracli.2022.07.004

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Iron overload is a common complication experienced by transfusion-dependent children with hemoglobin disorders. Chelators such as deferasirox (DFX) and deferiprone (DFP) are effective in overcoming this problem. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of DFX compared to DFP in treating iron overload amongst pediatric patients with hemoglobin disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed and Cochrane Central were searched from their inception until Dec 21 2021, for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies, which assessed the efficacy of DFX compared to DFP in the treatment of inherited hemoglobin disorders. The outcomes of interest included myocardial iron concentration (MRI T2) at the end of the trial and change in mean serum ferritin (SF) levels at the 6 and 12 months mark. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for continuous outcomes using random effects model. RESULTS: A total of 5 studies comprising 607 children were included. The results of our analysis revealed no significant difference between DFX and DFP in MRI T2 at the end of treatment (WMD: -0.92; 95% CI [-3.35, 1.52]; p = 0.46; I2 = 0). Moreover, there has been no significant difference noted in SF levels at both 6 months (WMD: 97.31; 95% CI [-236.16, 430.77]; p = 0.57; I2 = 0) and 12 months (WMD: 46.99; 95% CI [-191.42, 285.40]; p = 0.70; I2 = 0) respectively. CONCLUSION: Our analysis shows no significant difference between the efficacy of DFX and DFP in the management of iron overload in children with inherited blood disorders. Future large-scale clinical trials are required to further validate our results.

Key Findings

A total of 5 studies comprising 607 children were included. The results of our analysis revealed no significant difference between DFX and DFP in MRI T2* at the end of treatment (WMD: -0.92; 95% CI [-3.35, 1.52]; p = 0.46; I2 = 0). Moreover, there has been no significant difference noted in SF levels at both 6 months (WMD: 97.31; 95% CI [-236.16, 430.77]; p = 0.57; I2 = 0) and 12 months (WMD: 46.99; 95% CI [-191.42, 285.40]; p = 0.70; I2 = 0) respectively.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population hemoglobin disorders
Sample Size 5
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Child
  • Iron
  • Deferasirox
  • Deferiprone
  • Iron Chelating Agents
  • Benzoates
  • Triazoles
  • Pyridones
  • Iron Overload
  • beta-Thalassemia
  • Hemoglobinopathies
  • Ferritins

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: iron

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09