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PREGNANCY IN ABNORMAL HAEMOGLOBINS CC, S-THALASSAEMIA, SF, CF, DOUBLE HETEROZYGOTES
Article first published online: 23 AUG 2005
DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1972.tb14178.x
Issue
1471-0528/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=b4e1d96c46e18c61210d584b63c13ee375cf562b "BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology")
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Volume 79, Issue 5, pages 410–415, May 1972
Additional Information
How to Cite
Hendrickse, J. P. D. V., Harrison, K. A., Watson-Williams, E. J., Luzzatto, L. and Ajabor, L. N. (1972), PREGNANCY IN ABNORMAL HAEMOGLOBINS CC, S-THALASSAEMIA, SF, CF, DOUBLE HETEROZYGOTES. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 79: 410–415. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1972.tb14178.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 23 AUG 2005
- Article first published online: 23 AUG 2005
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Summary
In 12 years, 90 pregnancies were studied in 51 Nigerians with the following abnormal haemoglobin types: C homozygotes (39 patients), S-β-Thalassaemia (5 patients), high fetal haemoglobin combined with haemoglobin S (4 patients) double heterozygotes (2 patients) and high fetal haemoglobin combined with haemoglobin C (1 patient). There were no maternal deaths.
Homozygous C haemoglobin is associated with anaemia and splenomegaly. High fetal haemoglobin combined with S, or C, and also double heterozygotes are apparently innocuous in pregnancy. Therefore, no specific treatment is required in these haemoglobin types, apart from the prevention of anaemia by folic acid supplements in all cases, with the addition of oral iron and antimalarial drugs in areas where iron deficiency anaemia is common and malaria is holoendemic.
By contrast patients with haemoglobin S-β-Thalassaemia require close supervision throughout pregnancy since this haemoglobinopathy is associated with anaemia, bone pain crises and an increased risk of postpartum haemorrhage. However, it is less morbid in comparison with haemoglobin SS and SC.