[Successful pregnancy outcome in a patient with HbE/beta (0)-thalassemia]

Successful pregnancy outcome is described in a patient with hemoglobin E/beta(0)-thalassemia which is expressed as thalassemia major. A 21 year-old Laotian female complicated by severe anemia became pregnant. The diagnosis of hemoglobin E/beta (0)-thalassemia was made by hemoglobin analysis. The fetal weight estimated by abdominal echogram decreased during pregnancy. She received blood transfusions, in order to improve intrauterine growth retardation. Hemoglobin concentration was maintained at the level greater than 9 g/dl. Fetal growth was improved by the treatment. A normal full-term male infant was born by a caesarean section, and splenectomy was performed at the same time.