Globally, thalassaemia is one of the most common genetic blood
disorders affecting women’s ability to conceive and progress through
a normal pregnancy and birth. Thalassaemia is associated with
late-onset puberty, infertility due to endocrine dysfunction, growth
retardation, jaundice, deformities in skeletal development and
enlargement of the abdomen secondary to spleen and liver anomalies.
Despite medical innovations, the management of thalassaemia remains
associated with significant risk factors for women during pregnancy,
birth and the postnatal period. The management of women with
thalassaemia is complex, requiring a multidisciplinary approach to
care as the potential for maternal and fetal complications presents
risks during pregnancy and birth. Women can remain silent carriers of
the disease until pregnancy induces symptomatic haematological and
coagulation changes, leading to diagnosis of thalassaemia.