effect of pregnancy on differentiation of minor beta-thalassemia from iron deficiency

differential diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia and beta-thalassemia, two common causes of anemia, affects the treatment in pregnant women. to help the diagnosis, we have tried to asses the pure effect of gestation on diagnostic criteria, eliminating iron and folate deficiency. in a prospective study, 46 thalassemic women were given ferrous sulphate tablets and folate. some indices, cbc and hba2 were measured before and after treatment during pregnancy. the haemoglobin and hba2 decreased and mcv increased, all with significant p value. we concluded that hba2, independent of iron, will decrease during pregnancy and mcv will increase