Evaluation of marriage and childbirth in patients with non-transfusiondependent beta thalassemia major at Thalassemia Research Center of Sari, Iran

Background and purpose: patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia major (ntdtm) could reach old age, marry andhave children with appropriate care. this study aimed to review the marital status and maternal-fetal outcomes of ntdtm patients atthalassemia research center (trc) of sari, iran.methods: in this study, medical records of patients with β-thalassemia major were reviewed from july 2014 to december 2014. allthe patients were interviewed, and a questionnaire was designated by research methodology experts. reliability of the questionnaireswas measured through a pilot study on 12 patients using the test-retest method (r=0.9). in addition, epidemiological characteristics andpregnancy outcomes of the patients were recorded. data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics in spss.results: in total, 419 records were reviewed, and 74 cases (17.6%) had ntdtm. during a 25-year marriage period, 23 pregnancieswere reported with 18 childbirths. low birth weight was observed in three neonates (23.1%), and there was one assisted pregnancy.in addition, one female ntdtm patient was married to a β-thalassemia carrier and had two abortions (one after prenatal diagnosis).in this study, 24 (32.4%) and 14 (58.3%) male ntdtm patients were married, and only one case had a child. mean age of marriagein male ntdtm patients was 25.3±4.2 years.conclusion: according to the results of this study, proper management of ntdtm patients will help them reach the reproductive age.it also seems that fertility is higher among female ntdtm patients