Iron concentration in teeth of patients with and without beta-thalassaemia major

The Fe concentration of enamel and dentine samples of deciduous and permanent teeth of human subjects aged 4 to 25 years, free of any haematological disorders, and of patients suffering from beta-thalassaemia major was estimated by atomic absorption spectroscopy. A haemoglobin value of 8-9 g per cent was maintained in each thalassaemic patient by numerous blood transfusions. Fe values in enamel and dentine of the deciduous and permanent teeth of the normal subjects were correlated. An increase with age in the Fe concentration was observed in the deciduous dentition only. Deciduous and permanent teeth of thalassaemic patients contained much higher Fe concentrations in enamel and dentine, which were significantly correlated and related to the number of blood transfusions per year, but not dependent on the total number of transfusions.