Family planning practices in families with children affected by β-thalassemia major in Southern Iran.

Preventing the birth of children with β-thalassemia major (β-TM) is an important health issue. We investigated family planning practices and related factors among families with affected children. We selected a total of 569 parents from the parents of patients with β-TM who were registered at thalassemia referral clinics in southern Iran.

Attitude toward prenatal diagnosis for beta-thalassemia major and medical abortion in Southern Iran.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of acceptability of prenatal diagnosis and voluntary termination of pregnancy in case of a fetus affected with beta-thalassemia major (beta-TM) in patients and their parents in Southern Iran. We interviewed 510 parents who had beta-TM children and 254 patients. A questionnaire was used to record information regarding sex, age, parents' and patients' knowledge about prenatal diagnosis, and their decision regarding abortion of an affected fetus.