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[Associations of parental thalassemia with preterm birth and low birth weight]

X C Huang1, X Q Qiu2, X Y Zeng2

  • 1Department of Health Chemistry, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China.

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Liuxingbingxue Zazhi
|June 11, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Parental thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder, significantly increases the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight in newborns. The risk is even higher when both parents have thalassemia.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Genetics
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Thalassemia is a group of inherited blood disorders.
  • Prenatal screening for thalassemia is crucial in at-risk populations.
  • Understanding the impact of parental thalassemia on pregnancy outcomes is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between parental thalassemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes, specifically preterm birth and low birth weight.
  • To compare the risks associated with single-parent versus dual-parental thalassemia carrier status.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 1516 pregnant women and their husbands.
  • Participants were screened for thalassemia gene mutations and hemoglobin electrophoresis.
  • Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association between parental thalassemia and preterm birth or low birth weight.

Main Results:

  • The incidence of preterm birth was significantly higher in the case group (parents with thalassemia) compared to the control group (6.5% vs 1.6%).
  • The incidence of low birth weight was also significantly higher in the case group (7.3% vs 0.8%).
  • Mothers with thalassemia (aRR=3.45), fathers with thalassemia (aRR=4.93), and both parents with thalassemia (aRR=5.13) were all associated with increased risk of preterm birth. Similar associations were found for low birth weight, with adjusted risk ratios ranging from 9.40 to 12.98.

Conclusions:

  • Parental thalassemia, whether in one or both parents, is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
  • Newborns with both parents affected by thalassemia face the highest risk of these adverse outcomes.

Keywords:
Low birth weighPreterm birthThalassemia

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