Hemoglobinopathies in pregnancy.

Sickle cell trait is associated with an increased incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria, low birth weight infants and premature rupture of membranes. Hemoglobin SS and hemoglobin SC in pregnancy result in significantly increased maternal morbidity and mortality and reproductive wastage. Heterozygous thalassemias in pregnancy carry increased risks but to a lesser degree than hemoglobins SS and SC. Partial exchange transfusion can provide effective prophylaxis for many of the maternal and fetal problems of sickle cell disease.