Guideline for the management of conception and pregnancy in thalassaemia syndromes: A British Society for Haematology Guideline

Farrukh T Shah; Sarah Nicolle; Mamta Garg; Shivan Pancham; Gidon Lieberman; Karen Anthony; Amma Kyei Mensah

doi:10.1111/bjh.19362

Guideline for the management of conception and pregnancy in thalassaemia syndromes: A British Society for Haematology Guideline

Br J Haematol. 2024 May 7. doi: 10.1111/bjh.19362. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Farrukh T Shah¹, Sarah Nicolle², Mamta Garg³, Shivan Pancham⁴, Gidon Lieberman⁵, Karen Anthony⁶, Amma Kyei Mensah⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Haematology, Whittington Health, London, UK.
² Department of Haematology, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK.
³ Department of Haematology, Leicester Royal infirmary, Leicester, UK.
⁴ Department of Haematology, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, West Bromwich, UK.
⁵ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Whittington Health, London, UK.
⁶ Department of Endocrinology, Whittington Health, London, UK.

PMID: 38715390
DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19362

Abstract

This comprehensive guideline, developed by a representative group of UK-based medical experts specialising in haemoglobinopathies, addresses the management of conception and pregnancy in patients with thalassaemia. A systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE using specific keywords, formed the basis of the literature review. Key terms included "thalassaemia," "pregnancy," "Cooley's anaemia," "Mediterranean anaemia," and others, covering aspects such as fertility, iron burden and ultrasonography. The guideline underwent rigorous review by prominent organisations, including the Endocrine Society, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), the United Kingdom Thalassaemia Society and the British Society of Haematology (BSH) guideline writing group. Additional feedback was solicited from a sounding board of UK haematologists, ensuring a thorough and collaborative approach. The objective of the guideline is to equip healthcare professionals with precise recommendations for managing conception and pregnancy in patients with thalassaemia.

Keywords: pregnancy; puberty; spermatogenesis; thalassaemia; ovulation induction.