Prenatal control of Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis: a two-year experience at a mainland Chinese hospital.
α-Thalassemia is a common inherited disease in southern China. The severest form is Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis, in which the affected fetuses almost always die in utero or shortly after birth, and the mothers are at high risk for severe morbidity. Therefore, this condition should be controlled, especially prenatally. In this study, we reported on a two-year experience in prenatal control of Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis at a mainland Chinese hospital. Totally, 573 pregnancies at risk for Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis were referred and different prenatal procedures were offered depending on the gestational age at presentation. One hundred fifty-two affected fetuses were diagnosed prenatally; among these, only half presented in early gestation, and were terminated in time. Although our prenatal program has successfully prevented the birth of children with severe thalassemia, it does not show a satisfactory outcome, considering the gestational age when an affected pregnancy is terminated.
Prenatal Diagnostic Center, Guangzhou Women & Children Medical Center affiliated to Guangzhou Medical College , Guangzhou, Guangdong , China.
Can
C
Liao
Min
M
Pan
Jin
J
Han
Xin
X
Yang
Li
L
Zhen
Jian
J
Li
Ru
R
Li
Dong-Zhi
DZ
Li
D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D005865:Gestational Age; D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk / Q000097:blood; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D017085:alpha-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics
D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal; C030448:hemoglobin Bart's
Hb Bart’s hydrops fetalis; prenatal diagnosis; screening; ultrasound; α-Thalassemia