Worldwide estimates suggest thalassaemia is
present in up to 6.5% of the human population
(Boe, 2013), with various degrees of clinical
manifestation depending on the level of acuity
at diagnosis. Women can remain silent carriers
of the disease until childbearing years when
pregnancy induces symptomatic haematological
and coagulation changes, leading to diagnosis
of thalassaemia. Anaemia is the most common
diagnostic indication of thalassaemia, causing
symptoms of pallor, lethargy and shortness
of breath; reduced haemoglobin (Hb) levels
determine the severity of the disease and
classification of thalassaemia type, with the basic
defect being ineffective red blood cell production
leading to low Hb levels (Koh et al, 2013).
The effects of thalassaemia on both the woman
and the fetus are summarised in Table 1, and
discussed in more detail below.