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Inherited and Genetic Disorders

Pregnancy outcome following hematopoietic cell transplantation for thalassemia major

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 52, pages 388–393 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the methods of conception and delivery, as well as the course and outcome of 42 pregnancies occurring in 15 female patients (27 pregnancies) and partners of 8 male patients (15 pregnancies) with β–thalassemia major who were successfully treated with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Most pregnancies (n=21) were achieved with spontaneous conception in female patients. There were two miscarriages. Five pregnancies were late preterm. Delivery was vaginal in 4 cases and by caesarean section in 18. Overall, 22 term pregnancies resulted in successful deliveries of 23 neonates. Two of 23 neonates were symmetrical small for gestational age / intrauterine growth restriction. All 15 pregnancies that occurred in partners of men who received an allogeneic HCT were achieved with spontaneous conception. No miscarriage was observed. Overall, 14 term pregnancies resulted in successful deliveries of 14 live-born singletons. Delivery was vaginal in nine cases and by caesarean section in five. All infants were full-term. Many patients with β–thalassemia major who received an allogeneic HCT retained or recovered their fertility after transplant. In these patients, pregnancy has been a practical and safe possibility and usually had a favorable outcome as in the normal population.

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Acknowledgements

We thank AIL Onlus Pescara Teramo (Associazione Italiana contro le Leucemie, i Linfomi e i Mielomi), AGBE (Associazione Genitori Bambini Emopatici) and PCFF (Pescara Cell Factory Foundation) Onlus for their generous and continuous support for our clinical and basic research work. Most of all, we would like to thank the patients and their families for their participation in this study.

Author contributions

SS and PDB contributed patients, designed the study, analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript; AN, PO and DO contributed patients and critically reviewed the manuscript; CD'I and GP critically reviewed the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplant Center, Transfusion Medicine and Biotechnology, Pescara, Italy

    S Santarone, A Natale, P Olioso, D Onofrillo & P Di Bartolomeo

  2. Neonatal Intensive Therapy Unit, Pescara, Italy

    C D’Incecco

  3. Infectious Disease Unit, Ospedale Civile, Pescara, Italy

    G Parruti

Authors
  1. S Santarone
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  2. A Natale
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  3. P Olioso
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  4. D Onofrillo
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  5. C D’Incecco
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  6. G Parruti
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  7. P Di Bartolomeo
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Correspondence to P Di Bartolomeo.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Santarone, S., Natale, A., Olioso, P. et al. Pregnancy outcome following hematopoietic cell transplantation for thalassemia major. Bone Marrow Transplant 52, 388–393 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2016.287

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