{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,4]],"date-time":"2026-05-04T03:46:22Z","timestamp":1777866382733,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":45,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,30]],"date-time":"2026-04-30T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1777507200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Medical Sciences"],"abstract":"<jats:p>\u03b2-thalassemia minor, often referred to as the \u03b2-thalassemia trait, is among the most prevalent hemoglobinopathies globally, impacting around 80\u201390 million carriers, with a prevalence of up to 15% among Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian populations. Although traditionally regarded as clinically benign, pregnancy imposes hematologic and metabolic stressors that may unmask latent vulnerabilities. This review combines the latest data and findings about the pathophysiology of \u03b2-thalassemia minor during pregnancy, its short-term outcomes on the mother and fetus, and its long-term impact on the child, as well as management techniques. A narrative review of PubMed-indexed studies (2000\u20132025) was conducted, including cohort and case\u2013control studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and international guidelines. Outcomes were organized by theme, and quantitative findings (prevalence, relative risks, odds ratios) were combined when available. Anemia is a common health issue for mothers. Literature mentions that the pooled incidence is between 30% and 40% during the third trimester, with ~5%of carriers needing a blood transfusion (mainly in iron-deficient or baseline Hb 6\u20138 g\/dL cases). Meta-analyses have shown elevated risks of pre-eclampsia (odds ratio (OR) ~ 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1\u20131.8) and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH); however, estimates differ by region. The odds of preterm delivery (OR ~ 1.4), small-for-gestational-age (SGA) (OR ~ 1.5), and low birth weight (LBW) are slightly increased for carriers, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission rates are also higher for carriers. However, the risk of stillbirth is not always increased. The usual approach is iron supplementation guided by ferritin levels to prevent overload, personalized transfusion thresholds, and regular folate support. There is not much evidence for long-term consequences for children of carrier mothers since no research has followed more than 200 children born to carrier mothers into adulthood. However, maternal anemia is linked to slower growth, neurodevelopmental issues, and a higher risk of cardiometabolic problems in larger groups of pregnant women. However, maternal anemia is associated with slower growth, neurodevelopment, and higher cardiometabolic risk in larger groups of pregnant women. \u03b2-thalassemia minor during pregnancy usually has a mild, though significant, impact. While most pregnancies proceed without complications, this condition is associated with a significantly higher prevalence of anemia and other adverse postnatal outcomes. Consequently, the implementation of risk-stratified monitoring, smart supplementation, and standardized management protocols is essential. Prospective registries, mechanistic placental research, and long-term offspring cohorts are necessary to better understand long-term trends.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/medsci14020225","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,30]],"date-time":"2026-04-30T08:03:47Z","timestamp":1777536227000},"page":"225","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["\u03b2-Thalassemia Minor and Pregnancy Outcomes: Pathophysiology, Clinical Implications, and Management"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9296-3688","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Angeliki","family":"Gerede","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Alexandroupolis, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Sofoklis","family":"Stavros","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital \u201cATTIKON\u201d, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-2177-953X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Efthymios","family":"Oikonomou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Alexandroupolis, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7716-1521","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Anastasios","family":"Potiris","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital \u201cATTIKON\u201d, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Maria","family":"Danavasi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Alexandroupolis, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Vasiliki","family":"Kourti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Alexandroupolis, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Ismini","family":"Anagnostaki","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8899-3040","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ekaterini","family":"Domali","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Nikoletta","family":"Koutlaki","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Alexandroupolis, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4967-2505","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Makarios","family":"Eleftheriadis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, \u201cAretaieion\u201d University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,30]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e27522","DOI":"10.1097\/MD.0000000000027522","article-title":"Molecular Genetics of \u03b2-Thalassemia: A Narrative Review","volume":"100","author":"Jaing","year":"2021","journal-title":"Medicine"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1186\/1750-1172-5-11","article-title":"Beta-Thalassemia","volume":"5","author":"Galanello","year":"2010","journal-title":"Orphanet J. 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