High-risk pregnancy in beta-thalassemia major women. report of three cases

PERNIOLA R;MAGLIARI F;ROSATELLI, MARIA CRISTINA;DE MARZI C.A.

2000-01-01

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Abstract

Reproductive failure is common in β-thalassemia major patients because of endocrine damage resulting from iron overload. Here 3 full-term pregnancies following spontaneous ovulation in 2 splenectomized β-thalassemia major women are reported. The main echocardiographic parameters, such as left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters, fractional shortening and ejection fraction, were within the normal range before pregnancy, but worsened during gestation, and 1 patient developed pre-congestive heart failure. Deferoxamine therapy was continued throughout 2 pregnancies, while in the other it was stopped after 8 weeks: no abnormalities were noted in the children. Thanks to the currently applied therapies, an increased number of pregnancies may now be expected in β-thalassemia major women: it is important to find out more about the pregnancy-related problems and their management in these patients.