title: Effect of folate supplement on pregnant women with beta-thalassaemia minor.
abstract: The effect of folate supplement on the haemoglobin concentration and outcome of pregnancy was studied in a group of Chinese women with uncomplicated beta-thalassaemia minor who delivered in our hospital between 1984-1987. The patients who received 5 mg folate daily showed a significant increase in the predelivery haemoglobin concentration, which was significantly higher than that in patients who received 0.25 mg daily. When the effect of parity was analysed we found that: multiparas were significantly older, had lower haemoglobin before delivery, and more of them required transfusion. Folate 5 mg daily significantly increased the predelivery haemoglobin concentration in both nulliparas and multiparas. It is concluded that folate 5 mg daily improves the haemoglobin concentration in pregnant women with beta-thalassaemia minor and that this should be prescribed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Lao
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D005492:Folic Acid