Screening Hemoglobinopathies and Genetic Counselling in Pregnancy at Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital

Abstract

          Anemia and hemoglobinopathies in pregnant woman are important public health problem in Thailand. The objective of this study was to quantify the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies of the pregnant woman seeking obstetric screening program of Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital.

          This cross sectional descriptive analysis covered first visit 1,745 pregnant women of the antenatal care unit during the period of August 1998 to July 1999. The prevalence of hemoglobino- pathy was reported to be 199 cases (11.4%) and mostly implicated by heterozygous hemoglobin E 59.62% The prevalence of Thalassemia disease in pregnant women were 12 cases (4.6%). Only 5 couples achieved in diagnosis as severe thalassemia in their fetuses [β  thal/Hb E 4 cases, β-thal major 1 case.]