Evaluation of marriage and childbirth in patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia major at Thalassemia Research Center of Sari, Iran

authors:

avatar Mandana Zafari 1 , avatar Mehnoush Kowsarian 1 , *

Thalassemia Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences: Vol.2, issue 2; 36-41
published online: August 25, 2015
article type: Research Article
received: May 09, 2015
accepted: July 05, 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7508/jnms.2015.02.005

how to cite: Zafari M, Kowsarian M. Evaluation of marriage and childbirth in patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia major at Thalassemia Research Center of Sari, Iran. J Nurs Midwifery Sci. 2015;2(2):e141299. https://doi.org/10.7508/jnms.2015.02.005.

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia major (NTDTM) could reach old age, marry and
have children with appropriate care. This study aimed to review the marital status and maternal-fetal outcomes of NTDTM patients at
Thalassemia Research Center (TRC) of Sari, Iran.
Methods: In this study, medical records of patients with β-thalassemia major were reviewed from July 2014 to December 2014. All
the patients were interviewed, and a questionnaire was designated by research methodology experts. Reliability of the questionnaires
was measured through a pilot study on 12 patients using the test-retest method (r=0.9). In addition, epidemiological characteristics and
pregnancy outcomes of the patients were recorded. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics in SPSS.
Results: In total, 419 records were reviewed, and 74 cases (17.6%) had NTDTM. During a 25-year marriage period, 23 pregnancies
were reported with 18 childbirths. Low birth weight was observed in three neonates (23.1%), and there was one assisted pregnancy.
In addition, one female NTDTM patient was married to a β-thalassemia carrier and had two abortions (one after prenatal diagnosis).
In this study, 24 (32.4%) and 14 (58.3%) male NTDTM patients were married, and only one case had a child. Mean age of marriage
in male NTDTM patients was 25.3±4.2 years.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, proper management of NTDTM patients will help them reach the reproductive age.
It also seems that fertility is higher among female NTDTM patients.

Fulltext

Full-text is available in PDF format.