An Evaluation of the Relationship between Hemoglobin Level and Blood Transfusion in Pregnant Women with Intermedia Thalassemia: A Case Series Study

Beta thalassemia intermedia is a group of anemias that are in the middle of the symptoms of beta thalassemia minor and major. Disturbance in the balance of alpha and beta chains causes different symptoms in patients. At one end of the spectrum are patients with mild symptoms, and at the other end the patients who may become dependent on blood transfusion, with difficulties deciding which patient needs blood transfusion and when. This challenge is more significant during pregnancy because blood transfusion at the wrong time and not transfusing when needed can cause complications in both mother and fetus. In this one-year study, a total of 8 pregnant patients with intermedia thalassemia were studied, and according to the Australian guideline, patients with  were not given blood unless they suffered from PHT, massive splenomegaly, IUGR; but patients with   were transfused. Finally, the pregnancy outcome was compared in terms of birth weight and Apgar score; and there was no significant difference. Hb level 7 during pregnancy can be considered safe for preventing unnecessary blood transfusion and their complications. This study can be the onset of a wider study in this field to help gynecologists for patient management.