Neural tube defects in the offspring of thalassemia carriers.
OBJECTIVE
The risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) is negatively correlated with maternal folate levels in early pregnancy. Thalassemia carriers often have reduced red cell folate contents. The aim of this study was to verify whether thalassemia carriers are at increased risk of having offspring with a NTD.


METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated the prevalence of thalassemia carriers among 75 women who had prenatal diagnoses of NTDs made at our center.


RESULTS
The prevalence of beta-thalassemia carriers among the affected pregnancies was significantly higher than in the general population (22.5 versus 14%, p < 0.05, chi(2) test).


CONCLUSIONS
Although inconclusive, these data indicate that folate supplementation is mandatory among women with thalassemia who are planning a pregnancy.
Ibba
Rosa Maria
RM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prenatal and Preimplantation Diagnosis and Fetal Therapy, Regional Hospital for Microcythemia, Cagliari, Italy.
Zoppi
Maria Angelica
MA
Floris
Marcella
M
Manca
Fabiola
F
Axiana
Carolina
C
Cao
Antonio
A
Monni
Giovanni
G
D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000453:epidemiology*