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Thalassemia is an inherited autosomal recessive blood disease. In thalassemia, the genetic defect results in reduced rate of synthesis of one of the globin chains that make up hemoglobin (Hemoglobin is a substance that red blood cells need in order to carry oxygen to body tissues).

Women with thalassemia who require blood transfusions often have a higher rate of infertility. However, some women with the disease are able to become pregnant. If you have thalassemia and you are thinking of becoming pregnant, there are numbers of important health considerations you should consider for you and your unborn baby.


Consider your baby’s health

If you have thalassemia and your partner carries the trait for thalassemia, there is a chance that your baby may inherit the disease as well. A doctor or a genetic counselor can explain the risks to you and your partner, and offer you testing options to determine if your unborn baby has been affected or not.

Consider the mother’s health

The stress of pregnancy can make the symptoms of thalassemia worse. The woman’s heart and liver are most vulnerable during pregnancy, as is the endocrine system, which secretes hormones in the body. Each of these systems must be closely monitored before and throughout pregnancy.
During pregnancy, the volume of blood in the mother’s body rises substantially. This can lead to anemia, which can increase the need for blood transfusion, and makes the heart work that much harder to push blood to all the body’s tissues. The higher volume of blood in the mother’s body also adds to the amount of work that the heart has to do. Therefore, women with thalassemia need to have their heart function checked before they become pregnant. During pregnancy, they may need to have regular blood transfusions to lessen the amount of stress on the heart.

People with thalassemia have an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The stress of pregnancy can worsen this condition. Diabetes needs to be well controlled before and throughout pregnancy.

Folic acid is an important nutritional requirement through the early weeks of normal pregnancy, and the same is true for women with thalassemia. In addition to helping to prevent neural tube defects in the developing baby, folic acid will help to reduce the mother’s risk of developing a special type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia. Other nutrients and supplements may be needed as determined by your doctor.

We will discuss in our next article on how to cure the Thalassemia and options that you have either in medical/science ways and also, the alternative ways.