Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2026
Darbepoetin therapy for anaemia and orthostatic presyncope and palpitations in a woman with beta-thalassemia minor and possible postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
β-thalassemia minor is associated with high rates of anaemia developing in pregnancy, possibly related to a blunted erythropoietin response. Anaemia with an inadequate erythropoietin response has been demonstrated in non-pregnant individuals with autonomic neuropathy with normal renal function. A case of mild anaemia in pregnancy with severe orthostatic symptoms in a woman with β-thalassemia minor and possible postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, with rapid resolution of symptoms and improvement in anaemia with darbepoetin therapy is described. The potential role of erythropoietin-stimulating agents in the management of symptoms in pregnancy-related anaemia in thalassemia minor is discussed.
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