HETEROZYGOUS BETA‐THALASSEMIA IN PREGNANCY

Data are presented from 92 patients with heterozygous 0‐thalasssemia seen in pregnancy and from 26 of these patients seen again three to six months after delivery. Haemoglobin levels fell progressively in the first two trimesters and rose significantly in the third trimester, while reticulocyte counts rose through pregnancy and morphological abnormalities of the red cell became more pronounced. Elevation of Hb F was demonstrated more frequently and levels were generally higher during pregnancy than in the group reexamined when not pregnant, though levels of Hb A. remained constant. Possible mechanisms for the elevation of Hb F during pregnancy are discussed.