In a rare incident, a transfusion dependent thalassemic woman gives birth to a healthy male baby weighing 2.8 kg

Ludhiana, October 11, 2017: In a rare incident, a transfusion dependent thalassemic woman gave birth to a healthy male baby weighing 2.8 kg. Earlier, in June 2017, the first such case was reported of 28-years old woman, who is elder sister of patient.

Sharing her experience, patient said that like her elder sister, she too was diagnosed with thalassemia at tender age and was getting regular blood transfusions after every fifteen days. Her pregnancy was slightly more complicated that her elder sister as patient’s husband was Thalassemic minor. Biopsy of placenta was done during pregnancy at 12 weeks to confirm thalassemia in baby, which afterwards came out normal.

Monthly blood tests were done on her heart, liver, kidney at regular interval. At around twenty-eight weeks of pregnancy, ultrasound test showed that the baby was decreased blood flow from her mother and patient got admitted under the guidance of Dr. Ashima Taneja, (Professor & Head of Obstetrics & Gynaecology) along with Dr Naveen Mittal (Endocrinologist) and Dr Shibba Takkar (Cardiologist). During admission, patient and her baby was closely monitored and treated.

In the thirty-seventh week of pregnancy, patient underwent cesarean section under regional anaesthesia under supervision of Dr Rupinder (anaesthesist). A healthy male baby was delivered & both baby & mother were discharged in stable condition. Baby was taken care in post partum period by Dr. Puneet Pooni, (HOD Pediatrics) , Dr Kamal Arora (neonatologist ) and Dr Shruti kakkar ( pediatric hematologist).

Secretary of DMC&H Managing Society Mr. Prem Kumar Gupta Ji congratulated the multidisciplinary team for their combined efforts and for achieving a milestone with their enthusiasm and determination, enlightening the lives of thalassemics (transfusion department).Principal Dr Sandeep Puri informed that it’s the second case of thalasemia major in Punjab.

Dr Ashima said,conception in thalassemic patient is very rare and if one conceives then continuing pregnancy requires a close survillence. Monthly tests were done on heart ,liver and kidney to detect iron overload in the body.To decrease iron overload,iron chelation has to be given which carries the risk of malformation in baby so these drugs have to be stopped in pregnancy and require monitoring of all organs.