Prevalence of Beta Thalassemia Trait Among Anemic Pregnant Patients

Abstract

Background: Anemia is the most common health problem during a woman life span. It has serious threats to pregnant women all over the world. Its prevalence in Pakistan is 75%. Thalassemia trait a common cause of anemia is usually diagnosed in pregnancy after workup of anemia. Objective: To find out the frequency of beta thalassemia trait in pregnant anemic women. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings: Gynecology Unit, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar Pakistan. Duration: 6 months from 9^th September 2020 to 8^th march 2021. Methods: A total of 193 pregnant anemic women of age 17-40 years with a gestational age of 8-28 weeks were included in the study through a non-probability sampling technique. Those with known liver, and kidney diseases and hypothyroidism and those with pregnancy-related bleeding were excluded. Blood samples were sent for peripheral smear and Hb-electrophoresis and all the parameters were noted in the proforma. Results: Means ±SD for age was 28.35 ± 6.713 years, for gestational age was 17.08 ± 4.620 weeks and for Hb level was 7.71 ± 1.425 g/dl. 25.9% of patients were observed in 21-25 years of age. Cousin marriages were recorded in 71.5% of patients. 60.6% of patients were having a family history of thalassemia while the Beta thalassemia trait was recorded in 58.5% of patients. Conclusion: 58.5% prevalence of Beta thalassemia trait in pregnant women was observed. It was more common in age group 21-25 years. Cousin marriages and family history are the major causes of thalassemia.