Tuck S M, Studd J W, White J M
Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1983 Feb;90(2):112-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1983.tb08893.x.
The complications and outcome of 125 pregnancies in women with sickle cell disease between 1975 and 1981 are reviewed. There were no maternal deaths, but a perinatal mortality rate of 48 per 1000. The main maternal complications were sickling crises (38%), anaemia (65%), infections (61%) and severe pregnancy-induced hypertensive disease (5%). There were three patients with eclampsia. There was a 13% spontaneous preterm delivery rate, 25% of the babies were 'light-for-dates', fetal distress in labour was seen in 24% and 15% were delivered by caesarean section. There was an increased incidence of involuntary infertility and spontaneous abortion. The treatment by prophylactic blood transfusions is discussed.
