Thalassemia and pregnancy: results of an antenatal screening program

A thalassemia screening program was implemented at our institution using the finding of a mean corpuscular volume less than 80 fl as the index of abnormality. Further evaluation using hemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis and serum iron studies was carried out according to the scheme detailed below. A dia...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAmerican journal of obstetrics and gynecology Vol. 134; no. 6; p. 662
Main Authors Alger, L S, Golbus, M S, Laros, Jr, R K
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 15.07.1979
Subjects
Adult
California
Female
Genetic Carrier Screening
Genetic Counseling
Hematocrit
Hemoglobins, Abnormal - analysis
Homozygote
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Mass Screening
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic - epidemiology
Prenatal Diagnosis - methods
Risk
Thalassemia - diagnosis
Thalassemia - epidemiology
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Summary:A thalassemia screening program was implemented at our institution using the finding of a mean corpuscular volume less than 80 fl as the index of abnormality. Further evaluation using hemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis and serum iron studies was carried out according to the scheme detailed below. A diagnosis of thalassemia was made in 33 women (42 pregnancies). Eight patients had alpha-thalassemia trait, 23 beta-thalassemia trait, and two Hb H disease. Thalassemia trait did not have any adverse effect on pregnancy outcome. In two couples the fetuses were at risk for homozygous disease and in one couple the fetus was at risk for sickle cell beta-thalassemia. The screening program described is an effective and inexpensive means of detecting thalassemia in an antenatal population and is applicable to most every clinic or office setting.
ISSN:0002-9378
1097-6868
DOI:10.1016/0002-9378(79)90648-3