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. <next>
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.