Pregnancy in patients with well-treated beta-thalassemia: Outcome for mothers and newborn infants

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the course and outcome of pregnan cy in women with well-treated beta-thalassemia. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-two pregnancies, including one twin pregnancy, in 19 w omen were studied. Pregnancy was advised when patients had received a prolo nged intensive treatment with hypertransfusions and iron chelation and had echocardiographically normal resting left ventricular performance. All conc eptions were spontaneous. Cardiac function, along with hematologic, endocri nologic, and hepatic parameters were initially assessed and monitored throu ghout pregnancy and for 2 to 9 years post: partum. Babies were delivered by elective cesarean section. RESULTS: Twenty-one healthy newborn infants were delivered. A spontaneous a bortion and a case of exomphalos also occurred. Gestation, delivery, and re covery were surprisingly uneventful, and no significant cardiac complicatio ns were encountered. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy can be safe for mothers and babies, provided that wom en with thalassemia have been started early on intensive treatment and have a normal resting cardiac performance.