Pregnancy in Patients with Thalassemia: A Single-Center Study

Objective: In thalassemia syndromes, iron accumulation due to transfusion or excessive iron absorption adversely affects many organ functions, including the endocrine system. Due to advances in effective transfusion and chelation therapy in recent years a significant increase as occured in the life expectancy and quality of life of patients. This situation has also led to an increase in patients' expectation of having children. Methods: This study retrospectively, evaluates the transfusion characteristics, complications and conditions of the babies with regard to pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and delivery of our transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients who've had children and were monitored at the Istanbul University Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. Results: The study includes 15 patients with a gestational age between 22-34 (28 +/- 3,9) years, five with thalassemia major, nine with thalassemia intermedia, and one with thalassemia trait and alpha triplication. While 14 patients came for regular follow-ups, one did not. The patients on a regular transfusion program had an increased frequency of transfusions throughout pregnancy; four patients with thalassemia intermedia, who had never undergone a transfusion before, were observed to have been included in a regular transfusion program starting with the 2 nd trimester of pregnancy. None of the patients developed cardiac and/or thromboembolic complications. One patient diagnosed with thalassemia intermedia and one patient diagnosed with thalassemia major each had a stillborn baby, three patients diagnosed with thalassemia intermedia had preterm babies and four other patients had babies with intrauterine growth restrictions (IUGR). Conclusions: Thalassemia patients who are followed up with a regular multidisciplinary approach will be able to have a healthy pregnancy and children the and treatment of