Table 2 Changes over time in numbers and causes of death in thalassaemia major in the UK.

Cause of death

1950 – 59

1960 – 69

1970 – 79

1980 – 89

1990 – 99

2000 – 03

Total

Iron overload

1

21

37

46

6

111

Anaemia

6

17

9

1

33

BMT complication

5

15

1

21

Infection

1

4

5

6

3

19

Malignancy

1

1

2

1

5

Other

2

2

8

4

16

Unknown

1

1

TOTAL

6

22

37

56

74

11

206

% iron overload

0

4.5

56.8

66.1

62.2

54.5

53.9