Antenatal diagnosis of beta thalassemia in pregnancy

To evaluote fetal status for B. Thalassemia. During 1994-99, one hundred and twenty women with B thalassemia minor underwent Chorion Villus Biopsy in early pregnancy to determine the fetal status. Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Seventeen pregnancies were found to have B. Thalassemia major, 86 embryos had B. Thalassemia minor and seventeen were Thalassemia free. All the couples were given genetic counselling to make decision regarding management of the current pregnancy affected by B. Thalassemia. During initial phase of this study the undesirable side effects of the trans vaginal procedure in 2 cases were excessive vaginal bleeding and abortion. The sample was obtained after two attempts in these cases