Affiliation(s)
1. Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Techniques, Faculty of AL Tuff Collage 56001, Karbala, Iraq
2. College of Medicine, Warith Al-Anbiyaa University,
ABSTRACT
β-thalassaemia major (BTM) has a high prevalence worldwide and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The aim of this review is to provide an illustrative overview of the reproductive health and pregnancy related issues in females with β-thalassaemia. A review search was performed in four international databases (1980-2018) to identify the potentially relevant articles. Common reproductive health disorders are hypo-gonadotrophic hypogonadism, infertility, delayed or absent sexual development, diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, osteopenia, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, thrombosis, renal failure, peripheral vascular resistance, placenta previa, pleural effusion and pulmonary hypertension. Many of those aspects are related to iron overload and to ineffective erythropoiesis. Foetal complications include neural tube defects, abnormalities in different organs, spontaneous abortion, foetal loss, preterm birth, foetal growth restriction and low birth weight. Antenatal screening and accurate genetic prenatal examinations are effective measures for early diagnosis of thalassaemia and a detailed plan for management of pregnancies in BTM is important for favourable maternal and foetal outcome.
KEYWORDS
Beta-thalassemia, reproductive hormones, menstrual abnormalities.
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