Article Text
Abstract
Haemoglobin E (HbE) affects at least 1 million people around the world. The carrier frequency of HbE/beta-thalassaemia (HbE/β-thalassaemia) is highest in Southeast Asia. In India, the highest frequency is observed in the northeast region. Distinguishing between homozygous HbE disease and HbE/β-thalassaemia is a challenge to the haematopathologist as well as to the treating obstetrician because both are clinically and haematologically similar, posing a difficulty in managing anaemia and assessing the fetal risk for the same disease. This article reports a case of compound heterozygote HbE/β-thalassaemia in pregnancy and its successful outcome.
- haematology (drugs and medicines)
- obstetrics, gynaecology and fertility
- genetics
- genetic screening / counselling
- haematology (incl blood transfusion)
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Footnotes
Contributors CS and KD designed the concept. SSeth and SShekhar helped in literature search. SSeth, KD, CS and SShekhar managed the patient and helped in editing the manuscript. KD, SSeth and CS wrote the manuscript. All of the authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.