Successful twin pregnancy in homozygous beta-thalassemia after ovulation induction with growth hormone and gonadotropins

Fertil Steril. 1996 Mar;65(3):670-2. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)58175-8.

Abstract

Objective: To describe infertility treatment and pregnancy outcome in a patient with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major and hypopituitarism.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University-affiliated infertility clinic.

Patient: Twenty-four-year-old infertile patient with homozygous beta-thalassemia.

Intervention: Co-treatment with GH and gonadotropins.

Results: Ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins alone was unsuccessful. Combined treatment with hMG, hCG, and recombinant human GH followed by intrauterine insemination resulted in a viable twin pregnancy.

Conclusion: Human GH as an adjunct to hMG and hCG seems to be a sensible approach in the treatment of infertile homozygous beta-thalassemic patients among which very few pregnancies are reported.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Growth Hormone / therapeutic use
  • Homozygote*
  • Humans
  • Menotropins / therapeutic use
  • Ovulation Induction / methods*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications*
  • Pregnancy, Multiple*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Twins*
  • beta-Thalassemia / genetics*
  • beta-Thalassemia / physiopathology

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Menotropins
  • Growth Hormone