Minor β-thalassemia as a predisposing factor for preeclampsia in pregnant women

Abstract

Preeclampsia is one of the most important causes of maternal death. Approximately 5–10% of all pregnant woman develop preeclampsia; the new onset of hypertension (blood pressure >140/ 90 mm Hg) proteinuria (>300 mg/24 h) and pathologic edema during gestation [1]. The etiology of this condition is probably a placental alteration, but the details are not well known. The development of the placenta is closely related to the availability of oxygen. A defect in the differentiation of trophoblastic cells due to a faulty sensitization to changes in oxygen pressure, could be the cause of the alteration in placental development [4]. Escudero et al. (April 2006) suggested that high incidence of preeclampsia can be explained by the high prevalence of anemia and high altitude [4]. As iron deficiency is a common cause of maternal anemia, iron supplementation is a common practice to reduce the incidence of maternal anemia [5]. Minor b-thalassemia is a common genetic disorder in Mediterranean countries including Iran (with 5–10% genetic disturbance in normal population) [3]. Minor b-thalassemia characterized by a mild hypochoromic microcytic anemia. In the healthy individuals with minor b-thalassemia the mean hemoglobin level is about 15% lower than normal persons of the same sex and age [2]. According to all those facts it could be hypothesized that minor b-thalassemia due to related anemia and hypoxemia during pregnancy predispose minor b-thalassemic individuals to preeclampsia.