Pregnancy management and outcomes in women with thalassaemia major.

Abstract

The health background, management and outcomes of 25 pregnancies in 18 women with transfusion dependent beta thalassaemia are described with particular consideration of appropriate preconceptual guidance for such women. This is an observation study of women attending three collaborating London hospitals. Nine of the pregnancies required induction of ovulation. Two pregnancies were complicated by diabetes and three by hepatitis C. One patient was hepatitis B positive. Two pregnancies were in women with cardiac problems, one of whom died of cardiac failure nine months after delivery of a live child. Two of the pregnancies miscarried and three were terminated, with the others resulting in 21 live children (including one set of twins). 14 of the pregnancies were delivered by caesarean section. After pregnancy five women developed secondary amenorrhoea, two developed cardiac problems and two developed diabetes.