Thrombophilia in thalassemia major patients: analysis of genetic predisposing factors.

Thromboembolic phenomenona have been described in patients with thalassemia major. In a multicenter, retrospective study we investigated the effect of factor V (FV Leiden), prothrombin (Fll), methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), PIA2 glycoprotein IIIa (Gpllla) and factor VII gene polymorphisms on the risk of thrombosis in thalassemic patients. A higher prevalence of the FVII H7 allele in subjects without thrombosis suggests that this genetic marker confers protection against thrombosis.