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Antenatal haemoglobinopathy screening - Experiences of a large Australian Centre
Sylvia Ai1, Corrina Cliffe2, Giselle Kidson-Gerber1,3
1Department of Haematology, NSW Health Pathology, Randwick, Australia.
Background:
Antenatal screening is vital to identifying couples at risk of having children with a clinically significant haemoglobinopathy. In Australia, immigration is increasing carrier incidence.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed of full blood count, high-performance liquid chromatography and haemoglobin electrophoresis of women and their partners who underwent antenatal haemoglobinopathy screening over three years at a major NSW laboratory. Genetic testing results were included where available.
Results:
One thousand six hundred and twenty-eight women and 729 male partners were screened at a median gestation of 14 weeks. 8.2% of women had a clinically significant result, with a median 16-day interval to partner testing. In 35% of couples screened simultaneously, the partner did not require testing. Genetic confirmatory testing was performed in 65% of high risk couples.
Conclusion:
There was a significant delay to antenatal haemoglobinopathy screening for mothers, limiting time for genetic diagnosis, prenatal diagnosis and management of affected pregnancies. Screening should be performed earlier. Simultaneous couple testing is not cost-effective.
