UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Thalassemia Center, the Northern California Comprehensive Thalassemia Center, and The UCSF Fetal Treatment Center have established the first multidisciplinary center for Alpha Thalassemia Major. The program is designed to address the complex diagnostic, prenatal, intrauterine, and perinatal management issues affecting a family with an Alpha Thalassemia Major pregnancy. Maternal complications of an Alpha thalassemia pregnancy are common and can be serious.
This perinatal program is designed to monitor these pregnancies in order to prevent or minimize these risks. Families at risk for an Alpha thalassemia pregnancy are confronted with significant medical, psychological, economic and ethical issues which are addressed by our multidisciplinary team. Fetal therapy, including intrauterine transfusion, is relatively safe when performed by experienced perinatologists, and dramatically improves the likelihood of fetal survival. Families undergo education concerning the risks and benefits of intervention. As more babies are being born with Alpha Thalassemia Major, updated information on the long-term prognosis and quality-of-life are shared with potential parents.
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The Northern California Comprehensive Thalassemia Center.