Major Depression in Children with Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia Is Strongly Associated with the Combined Effects of Blood Transfusion Rate, Iron Overload, and Increased Pro-inflammatory Cytokines

Beta-thalassemia major patients are treated with repeated blood transfusions, which may cause iron overload, which in turn may induce immune aberrations, and show an increased risk of depression. The aim of the present study is to examine whether repeated blood transfusions, iron overload, and immune-inflammatory responses are associated with depression in children (6–12 years) with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT). The Children’s...