Abstract

Sickle-cell disease (SCD), is an autosomal recessive genetic blood disorder with over dominance, characterised by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape at times of oxidative “stress.”

The increased metabolic demands, hypercoagulable state, and vascular stasis associated with pregnancy predispose to both fetal and maternal complications. Although advances in medical and obstetrical care have led to a continuous improvement in outcome for pregnant women with SCD, complication rates and mortality remain significantly higher than in normal pregnancies. To minimise these risks the RCOG recommends management a multidisciplinary team with expertise in this field, within the setting of a specialised clinic.

Ahead of published data from UKOSS we review the management of women with SCD in a tertiary referral clinic within the North West over a 7 year period (2004 – 2011). We report outcome data (maternal and neonatal) on 26 pregnancies in 20 women, and audit their management against trust guidelines, established ahead of those recently published by the RCOG.