Screening and Diagnosis of Couples at risk for Thalassemia Disease in Pregnant Women and Husbands: Role of Nurse

Abstract

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder with decreased or absent globin production. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells which leads to chronic anemia. The severity of thalassemia varies from asymptomatic, mild, moderate to severe anemia. People with mild anemia won’t need blood transfusions but the others with severe anemia need that along with costly treatment throughout their lives. Prevention and control of thalassemia are essential as were as improvement in the quality of life of the existing patients. Screening thalassemia during pregnancy can identify the couple at risk of haring severe thalassemia in the fetus, moreover many complications may happen during pregnancy such as eclampsia, dead fetus in utero (Hb Bart’s hydrops fetalis) or stillbirth. Therefore the nurse’s role as important in giving in foundation and right understanding by genetic counseling for the risks in order to present problems and allow appropriate choices for the benefit of the families, which will lead to a better public health situation.