Cutaneous adverse reactions to hydroxyurea in patients with intermediate thalassemia

Omid Zargari, Arash Kimyai-Asadi, Maryam Jafroodi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although the cutaneous effects of hydroxyurea have been described for patients with sickle cell anemia, myeloproliferativo disorders, and psoriasis, there are no reports of cutaneous adverse effects from hydroxyurea when used for patients with intermediate thalassemia. Therefore 43 patients with intermediate thalassemia treated with hydroxyurea were examined by a dermatologist, and pertinent cutaneous findings were recorded. These patients had received hydroxyurea for a mean of 15.5 months. Nineteen had cutaneous hyperpigmentation, eight had xerosis, and three were found to have one café au lait macule each. Eleven patients had nail abnormalities, including nail ridging, partial leukonychia, and longitudinal melanonychia. There were no cases of leg ulceration. It was concluded that the risk of developing leg ulcers and pigmentary disorders appears to be related to the underlying disease being treated, as well as to a patient's age, gender, and pigmentation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)633-635
Number of pages3
JournalPediatric Dermatology
Volume21
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Dermatology

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