Prevalence of α-thalassaemia genotypes in pregnant women in northern Thailand.

Background & Objectives: Alpha-thalassaemias are genetic disorders with high prevalence in northern Thailand. However, common genotypes and current data on the prevalence of α-thalassaemias have not been reported in this region. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of α-thalassaemia genotypes in pregnant women in northern Thailand.

Preventive antiretroviral therapy in non-thalassemia carrier infants exposed to mother-to-child transmission of HIV decreases cord and after delivery red blood production without altering the development of hemoglobin.

Antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis for prevention of mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV could affect hemoglobin (Hb) development of infants. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 24 HIV-infected and 21 HIV-uninfected pregnancies. ARV drugs were administered to HIV-infected pregnancies at 21 weeks of gestational age and at labor.

Pregnancy outcomes among chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus.

Objective: To compare pregnancy outcomes of women with chronic HBV infection with those of HBV-negative women.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken to analyze singleton pregnancies of women without medical/surgical disease and with known HBsAg status. Pregnancy outcome measures were compared among the control group, women with positive HBsAg status (case group), and those with positive HBeAg status.

Effects of antiretroviral drugs for prevention of HIV-mother-to-child transmission on hematological parameters and hemoglobin synthesis in HIV-uninfected newborns with and without thalassemia carrier.

The effects of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs administered to HIV-infected pregnancy on hematological parameters and hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis in ARV-exposed newborns with and without thalassemia carrier and of ARV drugs in worsening anemia in thalassemia carrier newborns are not well understood. Cord blood samples were collected from newborns of HIV-infected and -uninfected pregnancies. Hematological parameters and hemoglobin typing were analyzed by automated blood counter and capillary electrophoresis (CE), respectively.

Effectiveness of the model for prenatal control of severe thalassemia.

Objective: The aim of the research was to determine effectiveness of the model for prenatal control in reducing new cases of severe thalassemia.

Methods: Pregnant women at six tertiary centers were recruited to follow the model, consisting of (1) carrier screening using mean corpuscular volume (for alpha-thal-1 and beta-thal) and CMU-E screen (for HbE trait), (2) carrier diagnosis, (3) the couples at risk were counseled and offered prenatal diagnosis, and (4) termination of affected pregnancy. All neonates were evaluated for thalassemia.