Effect of Maternal Beta-Thalassemia Minor on Obstetrical and Neonatal Outcomes in Kirkuk Province, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Maternal beta-thalassemia minor may increase the risk of adverse obstetrical outcomes like restricted fetal growth, reduced birth weight, and preterm delivery.Objective: To determine maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with beta-thalassemia minor in Kirkuk province, Iraq.Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted and enrolled 95 pregnant women with beta-thalassemia minor and 100 control pregnant women without beta-thalassemia minor. A comparison between the two groups was performed regarding the general characteristics of the pregnant women, obstetrical complications, and neonatal outcomes.Results: The mean hemoglobin (Hb), gestational age, and birth weight were significantly lower in the cases compared to the control group, with a P-value < 0.001, 0.002, and 0.004, respectively. Blood transfusion, emergency caesarean section (CS), postpartum hemorrhage, preterm labor, small for gestational age (SGA), and admission to the neonatal care unit (NCU) in cases were significantly higher compared to the control group. Admission to NCU was higher with low maternal Hb, lower gestational age at the time of delivery, pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus, oligohydramnios, meconium-stained liquor, preterm labor, pregnant women who delivered by CS, neonates with SGA , and those with a low APGAR (A= appearance, P = pulse rate, G = grimace, A = activity, and R = respiration) score.Conclusion: Beta-thalassemia minor may adversely affect pregnancy outcomes and increase the frequency of neonatal admission to NCU.

Keywords

• beta-thalassemia minor
• maternal outcomes
• neonatal outcomes