TRANSFUSION-DEPENDENT HOMOZYGOUS BETA-THALASSEMIA MAJOR - SUCCESSFUL PREGNANCY IN 5 CASES

beta-thalassaemia major is a severe, transfusion-dependent anaemia tha t also causes infertility due to iron deposition to endocrine organs. Very few pregnancies have been reported among such patients. In this r eport we describe the evolution and successful outcome of pregnancy in 5 Creek women with beta-thalassaemia major. There were four full-term and one preterm deliveries of two normal and three small for date neo nates. Cardiovascular changes related to gestation may aggravate the u nderlying multiorgan damage of the pregnant mother and predispose to p oor fetal growth and development. All five patients followed a strict transfusion regimen in order to maintain the haemoglobin level above 1 0 g/dl. The inadvertent administration of desferrioxamine in one patie nt until the 8th gestational week did not seem to have any serious eff ects on the development and well-being of the fetus. Although pregnanc y is not contraindicated in beta-thalassaemia major, intensive individ ualized care is required if it is to be safe for the mother, and have a reasonably good chance of producing a healthy child. (C) 1997 Elsevi er Science Ireland Ltd.