title: Prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia in Songklanagarind Hospital in southern Thailand.
abstract: A thalassemia screening program for pregnant women has been established in Songklanagarind Hospital since 1992. After genetic counseling, a total of 5078 pregnant women accepted entry into a screening program for thalassemia. Couples at risk who should receive prenatal diagnosis were 2.8%. Total cases who accepted prenatal diagnosis were 135. Total clinical cases were 40 (29.6%) with achievement by prenatal diagnosis of 33 cases (82.5%). Genetic amniocentesis is the most acceptable method for prenatal diagnosis. Five cases (12.5%) were misdiagnosed due to contamination of maternal blood cells in amniotic fluid cases. Questionable results were reported in 2 cases (5%). Abortion occurred in one case (0.7%). Improvement of surgical technic in prenatal diagnosis reduced the complications and contamination of maternal cells. This program shows the feasibility of prevention and control of thalassemia disease in southern Thailand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songklanagarind Hospital, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kor-anantakul
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Suwanrath
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leetanaporn
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suntharasaj
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liabsuetrakul
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rattanaprueksachart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000379:methods; D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis; D015193:Chorionic Villi Sampling; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*