|
Thalassemia
>
Pregnancy
Although fertility is reduced in the woman with
transfusion-dependent thalassemia disease,
pregnancy may be possible for some. A handful of
women have been reported in the medical
literature, most having beta thalassemia
intermedia, a few having beta thalassemia major.
With the availability of assisted reproductive
techniques, and as medical advances continue to
increase quality of life and life expectancy of
women with beta thalassemia, the numbers of
successful pregnancies in these women will
continue to grow. Given the mother's condition,
there are important considerations during
pregnancy for both maternal and fetal health.
This section focuses on women with beta
thalassemia, particularly those who are
transfusion-dependent. However, some of the
following considerations may also be important
for women with alpha thalassemia, particularly
those who have hemoglobin H-Constant Spring
disease and require transfusions. The woman with
transfusion-dependent thalassemia who is
pregnant or considering becoming so should seek
the advice of her medical team, including her
hematologist, perinatologist, genetic counselor,
and other specialists.
General Considerations
Medical care for individuals with beta
thalassemia continues to improve with time, as
do approaches toward assisted reproduction. As
these trends continue, more and more women with
this condition will be able to consider becoming
pregnant. Issues regarding the health of the
mother and the health of the fetus should be
considered and discussed prior to conception.
Other important considerations for some families
have included the availability of a support
system to aid in the care of an infant given its
mother's medical needs. The expected longevity
of the potential mother with thalassemia has
also been an important consideration for some
families in their decision to have children or
not. This, too, has been related to the
availability of social support for some
families. Overall, given the support of family
and a comprehensive medical team, growing
numbers of women with thalassemia will continue
to have healthy pregnancies and babies.
|
Thalassemia
