Pregnancy in beta-thalassemic patients has become a not unusual event, espe
cially in the last 10 years. The course and outcome of 19 pregnancies in 16
thalassemic women, followed in our unit, 12 with thalassemia major and 4 w
ith thalassemia intermedia, were studied. Genetic counselling was provided
and counselling regarding the planning or the continuation of the pregnancy
was based mainly on cardiac performance at rest, Cardiac, endocrine and li
ver function were evaluated at baseline, monitored throughout pregnancy and
reevaluated after delivery. Desferrioxamine treatment was discontinued as
early as possible. During pregnancy the Db level was maintained at about 10
g/dl in all women by transfusion. The course of pregnancy was essentially
uneventful and elective Cesarean section was performed in all cases, The me
an birth weight of the newborns was 3000 g, All babies were normal except f
or one with exomphalus, Pregnancy was well tolerated by the heart in all wo
men and no endocrinological disorders were observed. In conclusion, pregnan
cies in beta-thalassemia can be safe for both mothers and their babies with
careful selection and appropriate care.