β-Thalassemia Major Complicated by Acute Myeloid Leukemia

This report describes the rare co-occurrence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) French-American-British type M2 in a 4.5-year-old boy with previously diagnosed thalassemia major, an inherited hemoglobinopathy, typically presenting with severe, transfusion-dependent anemia. Chronic transfusions, though lifesaving, can lead to iron overload, which may generate free radicals and potentially contribute to malignancy. Our case highlights the importance of close monitoring for secondary malignancies in thalassemia patients. Our patient born to consanguineous parents, presented with persistent fever, abdominal pain, and splenomegaly. Hematological investigations revealed severe cytopenias (low blood cell counts) and many immature blood cells (blasts). Bone marrow examination confirmed AML M2, characterized by an overabundance of myeloid blasts. Despite the initiation of myeloid leukemia-directed aggressive chemotherapy, the patient, unfortunately, succumbed to the disease within a month of diagnosis.