Category | Children | Adults |
General health | Testing prior to transfusion and possible transplant (all done once at initial evaluation):
| Testing prior to transfusion and possible transplant (all done once if not already available):
|
Assessment of iron overload:
| Assessment of iron overload:
| |
CBC, reticulocyte count, and assessment of kidney function at each visit | CBC, reticulocyte count, and assessment of kidney function at each visit | |
Chemistry panel including serum calcium every 3 months | Chemistry panel including serum calcium every 3 to 6 months | |
Urinalysis every 6 months | ||
Growth and development:
| Growth and development:
| |
Routine dental evaluation every 6 months | Routine dental evaluation every 6 months | |
Vision screening every 3 months; ophthalmology examination annually | Routine ophthalmology examination every 6 months | |
Audiology screen annually | ||
Specific organ systems | Hematology:
| Hematology:
|
Hepatology:
| Hepatology:
| |
Cardiopulmonary:
| Cardiopulmonary:
| |
Endocrinology:
| Endocrinology:
|
ALT: alanine aminotransferase; aPTT: activated partial thromboplastin time; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; CBC: complete blood count; DAT: direct antiglobulin test; DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; FSH: follicle-stimulating hormone; HbA1c: glycosylated hemoglobin; HLA: human leukocyte antigen; IGF-1: insulin-like growth factor-1; IGFBP-3: IGF binding protein 3; LH-ICMA: luteinizing hormone-immunochemiluminometric assay; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; PCR: polymerase chain reaction; PT: prothrombin time; PTH: parathyroid hormone; RBC: red blood cell; TIBC: total iron binding capacity; TSAT: transferrin saturation; TSH: thyroid-stimulating hormone.
* Chronic hemolysis and transfused RBCs both can artifactually lower the HbA1c and provide misleading information regarding glucose regulation, especially if used as a one-time isolated test. For diabetes screening, fasting blood glucose and an oral glucose tolerance test should be included in the diagnostic thinking. For individuals with steady-state transfusion requirements and clinical stability, the HbA1c may be useful to follow as a means of monitoring changes from their baseline (using their prior values as a reference for detecting changes over time).