GROWTH (G) AND SEXUAL MATURATION (SM) PATTERNS IN THALASSEMIA MAJOR CHILDREN (Th.)

G and SM are frequently delayed in Th., hut data are disomogeneous because of different transfusional ard iron-chelation protocols. Height(H), weight(W), Tanner stages (T), penis lenght,

testis volume(TV), serum ferritin (SF) and bone age(BA) were evaluated in 83 Th., aged 3-22y, transfused to mantain pretransfusional Hb levels >9 and >11 g/dl before and after 1980,

respectively, treated with DFO, im until 1978, sc later on. Th. were divided by sex and age: A(3-8y), B(8-12y), C(>12 y). MALES(43): H was25c in 0%A, 29%B, 6%C. H delay(HD) and age (CA)

(r=0.69), BA and CA(r=0.95> and H age(HA) (r=0.93) were correlated*. W was25c in 40%A, 44% B, 11%C. HA and WA(r=0.69), HD and WD(r=0.92) were correlated*. In C, 63% had a penis lenght