Multidisciplinary Management of Oral Manifestations in Pregnant Women with Beta-Thalassemia Major: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Beta-thalassemia major is a blood disorder caused by impaired synthesis of hemoglobin beta chain. Oral manifestations of beta-thalassemia major in pregnancy have rarely been reported. Objective: This study aimed to describe a case of oral manifestations in a pregnant woman with beta-thalassemia major for multidisciplinary management. Case: A 27-year-old woman, suffering from beta thalassemia major who is undergoing therapy in the form of routine blood transfusions every month and taking anti-chelation drugs but is currently stopping this because she is pregnant, currently 16 weeks pregnant, complains complained of swollen gums, bleeding, and bad breath. Extraoral examination revealed dry, exfoliative lips. Intraoral examination revealed gingival hyperplasia with erythema, soft consistency, dark red rounded gingival margins, bleeding, true pockets and pain throughout the labial, buccal, palatal, and lingual. There was no history of systemic disease in this patient. Patient has never visited a dentist, either before or now, with complaints about her oral cavity. Hematological parameters showed abnormalities, and peripheral blood examination revealed an infection. The oral diagnoses included gingival enlargement and chronic periodontitis associated with pregnancy and β-thalassemia major. Case Management: Dental management consisted of spooling with 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) spooling, chlorine dioxide spray mouthwash, antibiotics, calculus removal, and oral hygiene instructions. Blood transfusions were administered once a month, and anti-chelation therapy was stopped during pregnancy. After three months of multidisciplinary management, the results were satisfactory. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary, collaborative dental and medical management with non-surgical therapy of oral manifestations in pregnant women with beta-thalassemia major showed satisfactory results.