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Beta-thalassemia major and successful pregnancy
R M Kumar1, D E Rizk, A Khuranna
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Objective:
To conduct a study of maternal and fetal outcome in pregnant women with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major.
Study Design:
The course and outcome of pregnancy were studied prospectively in 32 pregnant women with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major, of which 10 were HIV 1 positive, at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, Manipur, India, from January 1990 to July 1996.
Results:
Over a period of six years, 32 women with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major conceived. Twenty conceptions were spontaneous (63%), and 12 (37%) followed induction of ovulation. There were 24 (75%) singleton vaginal deliveries, all of which were term. At term, eight (25%) women delivered by elective cesarean section due to cephalopelvic disproportion. All the women remained well throughout pregnancy. Despite increased blood transfusion requirements during pregnancy to maintain the hemoglobin level > 10 g/dL, serum ferritin levels remained stable in all patients.
Conclusion:
Successful outcomes of pregnancy occurred in some women with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major.