Desferrioxamine-induced Ototoxicity (SNHL) in β-Thalassaemia

Abstract

Thalassaemia is a hereditary disorder requiring regular blood transfusion. The repeated transfusion results in an iron overload state with succeeding complications. Iron chelation therapy with desferrioxamine removes excess iron and its prolonged usage causes ototoxicity.

This is a rare disease observed in the ENT (OP) Department, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) [a 750 bedded tertiary teaching hospital], Kadapa, AP, India. A 12-year-old female patient was presented with complains of hearing loss (left ear) starting two months ago, associated with itching. On past medication history, he was a known thalassaemia patient since seven years and on regular medication with desferrioxamine (500 mg). The diagnosis was confirmed by Rinne test, Weber test and Air Bone Conduction (ABC) test. So it was confirmed that desferrioxamine induced ototoxicity and was reported as an adverse drug reaction (ADR). Based upon the Naranjo’s scale, the assessment was found to be as probable ADR (Causality assessment score equal to +7). The patients with β-Thalassaemia receiving chelating agent need to be followed up for regular audiological monitoring to detect any early changes in the hearing. Both the clinical pharmacist and the audiologist play a critical role in the process of ototoxic monitoring.

Keywords: β-Thalassaemia, desferrioxamine, ototoxicity, chelating agent, hearing loss

Cite this Article

Varaprasad CP, Kumar NS, Thyag A, et al. Desferrioxamine-induced Ototoxicity (SNHL) in β-Thalassaemia. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Pharmacology. 2016; 6(1): 10–12p.