Maternal and fetal outcome associated with hemoglobin E trait and hemoglobin E disease.

A study of 20 patients with hemoglobin E trait abnormality and 8 patients with hemoglobin E disease in pregnancy is presented. The hematologic abnormality in HbE hemoglobinopathy is mild though hemoglobin values are significantly lower than in HbA patients. Fetal wastage is no increased and the salvage rate is high (live births over 95 per cent). The mean birthweight of the baby in HbE patients is significantly lower than in HbA patients, but the incidence of prematurity is not significantly increased in HbE patients. Blood loss at delivery is not markedly affected by hemoglobin type. The incidences of postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia, and malaria are not significantly increased in HbE patients; the reason for the significant increase in incidence of abruptio placentae in HbE is not known. No maternal deaths or congenital fetal abnormalities were recorded. It is concluded that the course of pregnancy in HbE trait abnormality and HbE disease is relatively benign.