Sickle-cell trait and pregnancy: A review of a community hospital experience.

The obstetric experiences of 128 gravidas delivered at Charlotte Memorial Hospital in 1973 who, on hemoglobin electrophoresis, exhibited an SA pattern of hemoglobin are reviewed. In addition to previously reported complications of increased rates of pyelonephritis and refractory anemia, this group of patients exhibited a marked increase in premature rupture of membranes and prematurity. It is suggested that the routine screening procedures be used for discovering sickle-cell trait individuals and that they be categorized as "high-risk" obstetric patients because of the increased complication rates described here and by previous authors.