Normal delivery is still a challenge during pregnancy in sickle cell disease patients

Challenges in the management of sickle cell disease during pregnancy in Senegal, West Africa

“…However, morbidity was significantly increased during pregnancy, marked by a higher rate of VOC, acute anemia, and hospitalizations (p < 0.05). Similar results were found by several authors [5,[7][8][9]. It could be due to negative physiological interactions between the pregnancy and SCD among which the increase of cell adhesion, polymerization of Hemoglobin S, hypoxemia and immune deficiency [10].…”

“…However, the occurrence of pregnancy in sickle cell women can be challenging because of an increasing risk of morbidity and mortality for patients and fetus despite a good management [4]. In a previous study conducted among 34 cases of pregnancies with SCD in our clinical unit [5], the rates of fetal loss and maternal death were, respectively, 14.6 and 3%. Since then, we have improved the hematologic management of patients by following a standard practice in the unit explained in the paragraph 'Method'.…”