Outcomes of pregnancies affected by hemoglobin H disease

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2009 Mar;104(3):206-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2008.10.010. Epub 2008 Nov 22.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the outcomes of pregnancies affected by hemoglobin H (HbH) disease.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 120 women with singleton pregnancies complicated by HbH disease only. The controls-to-cases ratio was 2:1.

Results: Maternal outcomes were similar in the 2 groups. The incidences of fetal growth restriction (relative risk [RR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60-3.50), preterm birth (RR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.03-1.96), and low birth weight (RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.46-2.56) were significantly higher in the study than in the control group. The perinatal mortality rate was slightly higher in the study group.

Conclusion: In spite of attempts to keep hemoglobin levels sufficiently high (>7.0 g/dL), pregnancies with HbH disease were significantly associated with increased risks of fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and low birth weight.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / epidemiology*
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / etiology
  • Hemoglobin E
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Perinatal Mortality
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Outcome / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy, High-Risk / physiology
  • Premature Birth / epidemiology*
  • Premature Birth / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk
  • Thailand / epidemiology
  • Young Adult
  • alpha-Thalassemia / complications*
  • alpha-Thalassemia / epidemiology

Substances

  • Hemoglobin E