Patient's question:
Duration of onset and persistence:Detailed condition and purpose of consultation: Pre-pregnancy checkup
Current general condition: Good
Medical history: Hepatitis carrier, mild gastritis
Previous diagnosis, treatment course, and outcomes: Good
Doctor's answer:
Hello: You can have the examination and diagnosis done at the gynecology department of any regular county-level hospital. The items for pre-pregnancy health check-ups are similar to our general health check-ups, and the number of items can be more or less.Below is an explanation of a few important items:
General Blood Count (CBC)
This test can determine the level of hemoglobin and identify anemia, allowing for early treatment. It also provides the platelet count.
Platelets are related to blood clotting, and childbirth involves some bleeding. Therefore, individuals with platelet issues should be treated before becoming pregnant.
This test can also measure the size of red blood cells (MCV). The Han Chinese population has a high proportion of carriers of thalassemia. Thalassemia carriers have smaller red blood cells, with an MCV below 80. This is an inherited disease, and only if both parents are carriers will the next generation be affected.
Therefore, if the expectant mother’s MCV is below 80, the expectant father must also have a blood test. If both have an MCV below 80, further tests such as blood electrophoresis and DNA analysis are required. If only one has an MCV below 80, there is no need to worry.
This is a genetic disease that can be diagnosed before birth, so the number of newborns with thalassemia has been very low in recent years. Thus, the General Blood Count (CBC) can be said to be a cost-effective test with very important results.