Questions in the Maternal and Child Health Forum have been answered by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Question Title: Pregnant with Thalassemia Trait

Forum: The Maternal and Child Health Forum
Topic: Pregnancy - Abnormal


I have Thalassemia trait inherited from my Italian side of the family. I am currently 4 months pregnant and am worried about how my trait will affect the pregnancy. Am I at high risk? I show up anemic on all the test. I was told not to take Iron by one health care proffessonal, and to take extra Iron by another proffessional. I don't know what I should do, should I take Iron supplements or not? Is there anything special I should do for my pregnancy due to me having this trait?

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Dear Maria
Beta-thalassemia treat typically causes a mild anemia. In general, unless iron deficiency is also present (diagnosed by serum iron studies, hemoglobin electrophoresis, etc) iron supplementation is not needed. The anemia is from a failure of normal production of hemoglobin beta chains, not from a deficiency state.

Most patients tolerate the mild anemia quite well during pregnancy. In general, most pregnancies in thalassemia minor are uneventful.



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