How Does Thalassemia Affect Pregnancy?

For women, giving birth to a child is nothing less than a challenge. Yes, there are tons of complications which arise and some of them might pose death risks. Among such complications, thalassemia is one of those.

But before we begin to know the causes so as to why thalassemia affects pregnancy, let us know what actually thalassemia is?

What is thalassemia?

Thalassemia is said as an inherited blood disorder. It occurs when the mutated genes affect bodies overall functionality to form healthy hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a kind of iron-rich protein which is found in red blood cells.

As a part of the functionality, hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen to different parts of the body. And, when the genes are altered, it results in thalassemia which is a lifelong medical condition.

How does thalassemia affect pregnancy?

If you are suffering from thalassemia, you must refer a doctor which has got a specialization in blood disorders. Further, having thalassemia can make patient anemic during their pregnancy period.

If you are suffering from beta thalassemia minor, it can affect your blood test results during your pregnancy. And, they will indicate that your blood levels are low. But in reality, they will be absolutely fine.

On the other hand, Alpha thalassemia also known as HbH disease can also be much more detrimental. It can cause mild to serious anemia which can result in a need for blood transfusions during pregnancy.

If Beta thalassemia takes place, it can result in much more complications in your pregnancy. Your organs which are already suffering will have their demands of growing baby. However, your medication and transfusion needs will change as and when the pregnancy will progress.

In case, if thalassemia has affected pregnancy to a severe extent, your doctor might ask you to book a hospital birth. Beta thalassemia can majorly affect your bones growth which can make your vaginal birth a lot difficult. Hence again, you will need cesarean and hospital birth will become a necessity.

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How Do You Inherit Thalassemia?

Every year approx, 100,000 babies are born already affected with thalassemia across the world. The disease is passed to them from their parents. However, the health condition is more common in these countries: Italy, Greece, Middle East, South Asia, and Africa. Does that mean, people born in these regions have more chances to get thalassemia?

Let dig that!

Thalassemia is group of diseases related to the quality of blood produced in the human body. Technically, it is the deficiency of red blood cells (RBCs) or inadequate hemoglobin level in the system. Since the responsibility of supplying oxygen through the body is of RBCs or hemoglobin, which eventually causes acute anemia.

There are two types of thalassemia known to the medical science. These are Alpha and Beta. And both types of thalassemia occur the same way. Thalassemia is inherited from the mutated thalassemia gene found in one of the parents to the child. The child who becomes heir to one mutated gene is called a “carrier”. In the definition of medical science, the carrier is termed as the “Thalassemia Trait”. A trait, however, leads a very normal, active and healthy lifestyle.

The advancements in medical science have allowed us to understand the step-by-step occurring of thalassemia in the human body. In a child’s body, four genes – two genes from both the parents – are responsible for the development of alpha globins. Alpha Thalassemia happens when more than two alpha thalassemia genes (alpha globins) are missing from the blood composition. Missing just two genes isn’t actually a serious problem. But missing more than two can be deadly.

in the happening of Thalassemia-α. Two genes from either parent make those four genes responsible for inheritance of Alpha Thalassemia.

Patients of Alpha Thalassemia are the people, who have:

Only one gene affected: Such patients are "silent carriers". They do not have any sign of thalassemia or any other related condition.

Two genes affected: They are called “alpha thalassemia trait” or “alpha thalassemia minor”. They have show symptom of mild anemia and are thalassemia carriers.

Three genes affected: They suffer from moderate to severe anemia and Hemoglobin H Disease.

Four genes affected: These thalassemia patients (children) are in a very critical condition. Usually, babies who have their four genes affected die before they are born. However, some medical specialty centers have saved the lives of some such patients.

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What Causes High Blood Pressure in Children?

Not just adults, children too are being diagnoses with high blood pressure. Specifically in children below 10 are at risk of blood pressure. Usually, children suffer from high BP due to other medical condition, however, the fact that lifestyle is one of the major factors behind such irregularities in the body system.

Identification of symptoms diagnosis and treatment in early stage can help control the intensification of problem. Early detection and prevention is imperative as it shapes the entire future and the life a child will lead.

Blood Pressure

Also known as hypertension, high blood Pressure is the pressure of blood on the walls of the vessels. It is one of the important signs that simply indicate the health condition of an individual. The factors that are responsible for blood pressure measurement are: cardiac output, the stiffness of arteries, and total peripheral resistance.

In adults, hypertension can be monitored by matching different readings taken on alternate days and per week. However, in children, despite the availability of standard automated tests, it is hard to identify the presence of blood pressure complexities.

In order to determine whether the child has high blood pressure or not, doctors generally use charts based on child’s height, sex and blood pressure numbers.

What causes child’s risk for hypertension?

High blood pressure in children has become a greater than ever problem. Kids below 10 are at high risk. Obesity is the greatest contributor in the increasing number of cases of hypertension in kids. Poor diet and lack of physical activity enhance the risk of hypertension for children. 

If not treated on time, blood pressure might bring other serious conditions including heart and kidney diseases and diabetes.

Secondary hypertension, hereditary and lifestyle habits are two common factors that might lead to high blood pressure in children.

Secondary Hypertension: It can occur due to some disease or medications.

Hereditary & Lifestyle Factors: Family history, obesity, and eating habits

Diagnosis of High Blood Pressure in Children

In order to diagnose blood pressure, three measurements are generally taken to determine whether the child’s BP is higher or normal. In case of hypertension, then the doctor will take reading at six-month interval, along with suggesting preventive diet and some medication if necessary.

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