ABSTRACT

Thalassaemias are a group of haematological disorders characterized by deficient or total lack of normal haemoglobin chains with extra vascular haemolysis and ectopic marrow expansion leading to anaemia, splenomegaly and bony abnormalities. Survival is associated with various multisystem complications primarily caused by chronic anaemia, iron overload, adverse effects of chelation, and transfusion associated infections We report a five and half years old child with beta thalassaemia major diagnosed at the age of one and half years receiving blood transfusions every three weeks on chelation therapy for iron overload. This child presented to the dental outpatient department with extensive dental caries and was scheduled for a total mouth rehabilitation under general anaesthesia. Due to early diagnosis, regular blood transfusion and chelation therapy for iron overload this child did not have obvious oro facial deformities and the typical facial appearance (chipmunk face)

Key Words: Beta thalassaemia major, facial deformities, transfusion, iron overload, difficult airway

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