Antenatal screening for hemoglobinopathies with HPLC and their fetomaternal outcome

Abstract

Introduction: Hemoglobinopathies are diverse group of inherited disorders of hemoglobin production and function. They represent the most common single-gene disorders that are found in humans and are distributed in various frequencies throughout the world. Pregnancy in women with sickle cell disease can increase the risk of maternal and perinatal mortality. HPLC offers the advantages over the routine Hemoglobin electrophoresis as it can more accurately identify and quantitate abnormal hemoglobin. HPLC forms an accurate, rapid and reproducible tool for early detection and management of thalassemia and abnormal hemoglobin variants. Material and Methods: This is an observational study was undertaken in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Department of Hematology of S.C.B Medical College, Cuttack. During this period those pregnant women, who attended gynaecology OPD of SCB medical college, Cuttack were investigated during various months of gestations. All pregnant women were counselled and offered screening for hemoglobinopathies after informed and written consent. Results: Among the antenatal women with hemoglobinopathy, 90.91% were anemic, 09.09% were not anemic. Among the normal group 71.06% were anemic, 28.94% were not anemic. So, there was more prevalence of anaemia among hemoglobinopathy than normal subjects which was statistically significant. (p=0.004).