Women need to pay more attention after pregnancy, especially in the first three months of pregnancy, which is very important for both the fetus and the pregnant woman herself. Pregnancy examination is an effective way to identify fetal abnormalities and situations where the mother is not suitable for pregnancy. If the mother already has anemia, then after pregnancy, it is necessary to do a Mediterranean anemia test. What are the items of the pregnancy test for thalassemia?
What are the items of prenatal examination for thalassemia
1. Identify abnormal sites of alpha and beta globin genes through genetic testing techniques before or during early pregnancy, in preparation for prenatal diagnosis;
2. Prenatal diagnosis: Amniotic amniocentesis is performed during mid pregnancy (17-22 weeks) to obtain fetal cells, and genetic testing is used to determine whether the fetus has missing or mutated alpha or beta globin genes and their types, effectively preventing the birth of children with severe thalassemia or malformation.
Why do we need genetic testing?
Mediterranean anemia, also known as marine anemia. It is a hereditary hemoglobinopathy caused by genetic defects (mutations, deletions, etc.) in the globin gene, which leads to a reduction or complete inability to synthesize one or more globin peptide chains, resulting in the inability to maintain normal balance between globin peptide chains and a decrease in hemoglobin (mainly HbA: α 2 β 2) synthesis. According to different peptide chain synthesis disorders, thalassemia can be divided into two main types: 1. alpha thalassemia and 2. beta thalassemia.
Distribution of Mediterranean anemia: Mediterranean anemia is a genetic disease:
1. If a carrier (i.e. suffering from mild Mediterranean anemia) marries a normal person, usually their children have a 50% chance of becoming carriers, but they will not become patients with severe Mediterranean anemia.
2. If two carriers get married, their children have a 25% chance of becoming non carriers, a 50% chance of becoming carriers (i.e. suffering from mild thalassemia), and a 25% chance of becoming patients with severe thalassemia each time they conceive. Mediterranean anemia is an incurable disease, and children with severe anemia need blood transfusions for life, which imposes a heavy burden on their families and society. Therefore, the key to preventing thalassemia is to avoid getting married and having children with both carriers of the thalassemia gene as much as possible.
In addition to the prenatal examination for thalassemia mentioned earlier, it is also necessary to pay attention to dietary intake during the prenatal examination. Pregnant women need to pay attention to their environment and the medications they take, as medication and radiation tests are strictly controlled during pregnancy. Women should also pay attention to the intake of folic acid during the first three months of pregnancy, as folic acid is beneficial for preventing fetal neurological abnormalities.
