Management of sickle cell disease in pregnant patients.

Data from a total of 74 pregnancies in 42 patients with sickling disorders seen at Johns Hopkins Hospital are compared with similar data from other centers. Although risks are still higher than those for women without sickle cell disease, they have diminished significantly from those reported earlier. Prophylactic transfusion therapy may decrease these risks further, but benefits of transfusion are unproved at present. Patients with sickling disorders should receive meticulous individualized treatment until further data are made available.