Gonadal Function Of Beta-Thalassemics Following Stem Cell Transplantation Conditioned With Myeloablative And Reduced Intensity Regimens

Gonadal dysfunction is a complication following stem cell transplantation (SCT). There have been no reports of gonadal function in stem-cell-transplanted thalassemic survivors who received a reduced intensity conditioning regimen (RIC). We evaluated gonadal function in 47 beta-thalassemic patients following SCT with either myeloablative or reduced intensity regimen. Thirty-six patients received a myeloablative regimen, the remaining 11 patients had an RIC regimen. Their median (range) age was 13.2 (5.9-25.8) years. There were 29 patients (62%) with gonadal dysfunction (26 with primary gonadal dysfunction and three with gonadotropin deficiency). Comparisons between patients who received myeloablative and RIC regimens, revealed no differences in gonadal dysfunction (56% vs. 82%, p = 0.113, respectively). In conclusion, our study demonstrated high frequency of gonadal dysfunction in these patients. Even after receiving RIC, gonadal dysfunction was very common. To our know-ledge, this study is the first to report gonadal function in children and adolescents with beta-thalassemia disease who were pre-transplanted with RIC.