Beta thalassemia major and pregnancy during adolescence: report of two cases - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Beta thalassemia major is a rare hereditary blood disease in which impaired synthesis
of beta globin chains causes severe anemia. Medical treatment consists of chronic
blood transfusions and iron chelation. We describe two cases of adolescents with beta
thalassemia major with unplanned pregnancies and late onset of prenatal care. One had
worsening of anemia with increased transfusional requirement, fetal growth
restriction, and placental senescence. The other was also diagnosed with
hypothyroidism and low maternal weight, and was admitted twice during pregnancy due
to dengue shock syndrome and influenza H1N1-associated respiratory infection. She
also developed fetal growth restriction and underwent vaginal delivery at term
complicated by uterine hypotonia. Both patients required blood transfusions after
birth and chose medroxyprogesterone as a contraceptive method afterwards. This report
highlights the importance of medical advice on contraceptive methods for these women
and the role of a specialized prenatal follow-up in association with a
hematologist.