Blood Podcast Special Episode: Maternal Health in Hematology
Dec 5, 2025
Dr. Arielle Langer, a physician-scientist focusing on women's health, shares her groundbreaking research on beta-thalassemia minor and its links to anemia in pregnancy, revealing concerning patterns in hemoglobin changes. Dr. Marc Blondon, an angiologist, discusses his findings on estrogen-related thrombotic biomarkers, illuminating how quickly these risks return to normal after halting hormonal contraceptives. Together, they explore critical clinical implications for maternal health, including risks during labor and necessary practice changes for safer hormone use.
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Clinical Encounter That Sparked The Study
- Arielle Langer described a pregnant physician with beta-thalassemia minor whose hemoglobin was in the eights, which prompted the research.
- That clinical encounter revealed gaps in training and drove a study to see if the case was an outlier or common.
Third-Trimester Hemoglobin Drop Is Common
- In 347 pregnancies with beta-thalassemia minor, 31% dropped to hemoglobin under 9 g/dL in the third trimester.
- The severe anemia frequency fell again at labor presentation, suggesting a dynamic pattern across gestation.
Worsening Then Partial Recovery Pattern
- The cohort showed hemoglobin nadir in early third trimester then partial recovery at labor, which contradicts simple dilution explanations.
- This pattern suggests a physiological mechanism needing basic science investigation.