Tag: Thalassemia

Ways Thalassemia Can Impact Pregnancy and Family Planning

Post author By ifm
Post date June 20, 2023
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Blood-related genetic problems are a complex issue that can affect one’s family planning. Thalassemia is a common blood transfused disease that passes on from the parent to the child. It is transmitted by mutated haemoglobin cells. In India, around 10000 to 15000 babies are born with this problem.

More About Thalassemia:

Thalassemia, being an inherited medical condition, affects an infant badly. The body suffers from genetic mutation, where it cannot produce enough haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a protein structure in RBC responsible for carrying and supplying Oxygen to different body parts.

Symptoms of Thalassemia:

Conducting a thalassemia test of both parents is crucial before conceiving. The haemoglobin forming DNA of the thalassemia patients mutates in this problem. One can identify it through different symptoms, including:

Fatigue
Dark urine
Abnormal growth of the child
Yellow or pale skin
Deformities in facial structure

Causes of Thalassemia and its Testing:

The haemoglobin in the RBC is formed of two identical chains of proteins. These are identified as Alpha and Beta. Thalassemia is categorised into two parts. One can confirm on which the protein chain is damaged. Therefore, these are known as Alpha Thalassemia and Beta Thalassemia.

One can also classify thalassemia based on its severity. These are broadly classified into three parts:

Thalassemia Trait: In this case, one parent possesses an abnormal DNA haemoglobin molecule. The other one may have a normal genetic structure. In such cases, the child will carry the Thalassemia trait with mild anaemia.
Thalassemia Major: As the name suggests, this type of thalassemia is a major issue that needs immediate medical attention. The baby of a parent with two defective gene sets may suffer from this problem.
Thalassemia Intermedia: It is an intermediate thalassemia condition. Here one needs close health monitoring with periodic check-ups.

If someone thinks that thalassemia is a deterrent to family planning, they are wrong. One can conceive through these effective processes:

CVS Testing: It is a vital testing method involving collecting chorionic villi cells from the placenta.
Amniocentesis: In this test, the tester collects a small amount of fluid from the amniotic sac. The amniotic fluid surrounding the embryo can effectively indicate the signs of thalassemia.

Now that one knows all the details about thalassemia and its effects on family planning; it will be easier to make the right decisions. For better testing assistance, one should contact a reliable source like Institute of Fetal Medicine. We are a premier source in Kolkata for thalassemia tests. For more information, one can visit our website today.

Tags Alpha Thalassemia, Amniocentesis, Beta Thalassemia, CVS Testing, Thalassemia, Thalassemia Test

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Why Is It Essential to Get A Thalassemia Test Conducted During Pregnancy?

Post author By ifm
Post date February 24, 2023

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects the production of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Thalassemia is a prevalent disease in many parts of the world. A thalassemia test is essential, especially during pregnancy. If the pregnant mother is detected with alpha thalassemia, the foetus will develop acute anaemia due to a lack of oxygen supply into the cells.

Read on to learn more about the importance of thalassemia testing during pregnancy.

Why is Thalassemia testing important for pregnant women?

Early detection of Thalassemia

Thalassemia is an inherited genetic condition. If both parents are carriers of the thalassemia gene, there is a 25% chance that their child will have thalassemia major, a severe form of the disease. Thalassemia testing during pregnancy can detect the presence of the thalassemia gene in the foetus. Early detection is essential because it allows parents to make informed decisions about the pregnancy.

Better management of Thalassemia

If Thalassemia is detected during pregnancy, the parents can prepare themselves to manage the disease. Thalassemia major requires lifelong blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy, and the earlier these interventions are initiated, the better the outcomes. If the foetus is diagnosed with thalassemia major, the parents can work with their healthcare providers to develop a treatment plan that ensures the best possible outcomes for the child.

Increased prenatal care

Thalassemia testing during pregnancy provides an opportunity for increased prenatal care. If Thalassemia is detected, the parents can work closely with their healthcare providers to ensure the pregnancy is well-managed. Regular check-ups, including ultrasounds and other tests, can help ensure that complications are detected early and addressed promptly.

Reduced risk of complications during delivery

Pregnancies affected by Thalassemia can have increased risks of complications during delivery, such as preterm birth and low birth weight. Thalassemia testing during pregnancy can help identify potential risks and allow healthcare providers to develop a management plan that reduces the risk of complications.

Knowledge for future pregnancies

If Thalassemia is detected during pregnancy, the parents can gain valuable knowledge to help them plan for future pregnancies. They can work with their healthcare providers to understand the risks and explore options, such as genetic counselling, to help them make informed decisions about future pregnancies.

Approach the Institute of Fetal Medicine for a thalassemia test during pregnancy. We have state of the art technologies to help with proper thalassemia tests and consultation. To know more, check our website.

Tags pregnancy, pregnant women, Thalassemia

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All You Need To Know About Thalassemia During Pregnancy

Post author By ifm
Post date July 23, 2021

Most expectant mothers with Thalassemia traits have very little knowledge about the condition during pregnancy and the tests they have to undertake after they have conceived a child. So, the first thing you have to do is get your partner screened if you have Thalassemia. It will help you determine whether there is a chance for the condition to pass onto your child.

What Do You Mean By Thalassemia? How Is It Caused?

It is a hereditary condition that prevents our body from producing adequate haemoglobin, responsible for carrying oxygen through our bloodstream. Haemoglobin is a protein present in red blood cells and comprises four protein subunits. More than 9000 children are born with Beta Thalassemia every year, making it one of India’s most common single-gene disorders. If you don’t want your child to be the next, visit the Institute of Fetal Medicine for Thalassemia Test in Kolkata.

How To Test For Thalassemia During Pregnancy?

You and your partner can get screened for Thalassemia both before and after conceiving a baby. Two common tests are the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Hemoglobin electrophoresis test. In addition, the doctor will conduct a blood test known as Complete Blood Count to track the presence of the Thalassemia trait in one’s body, the number of red blood cells and haemoglobin concentration.

What Does The Test Result Indicate?

Did you and your partner undergo the test before your pregnancy, and the test result showed that both of you are a silent carrier of Thalassemia? There is a 50% chance that your baby will become a carrier, there is a 25% chance that both of you being Thalassemia carrier won’t impact him and a 25% chance that your child will get the inherited blood disorder.

Do You Have To Worry About Thalassemia During Pregnancy?

Thalassemia is harmful to the unborn child during pregnancy if you fail to detect it at the right time. Expectant mothers should visit the Institute of Fetal Medicine for antenatal checkups at fixed intervals so doctors can closely monitor their health. Some doctors consider pregnancy with Thalassemia as a high-risk pregnancy.

The expectant mother can develop anaemia during her pregnancy if she only carries the traits. Proper management is necessary to prevent the condition from becoming severe. Prenatal testing will be necessary if both the parents have the trait. The test is done before the mother crosses her 12th-week pregnancy and helps in determining whether the baby will be born with Thalassemia Major.

What Is Beta-Thalassemia Major?

It is a severe condition when the child inherits one faulty gene from each parent. The number of healthy red blood cells in their body might be less than required. It makes them incapable of supplying sufficient oxygen through their body and causes life-threatening anaemia.

Conduct a Thalassemia test at the right time and you can decide whether you want to continue with the pregnancy or not.

Tags pregnancy, Thalassemia, Thalassemia Test