Indications for blood transfusion in pregnancy with sickle cell disease.

In order to assess the value of prophylactic blood transfusion in the management of pregnant patients with sickle cell disease, a study was conducted on 571 sickle cell disease pregnancies. These patients were divided into 2 groups, one with prophylactic transfusion and the other with restricted transfusion. In spite of the reduction in the incidence of blood transfusion the rate of preterm labour, intrauterine growth retardation, perinatal mortality and maternal mortality were similar in both groups. A restricted blood transfusion policy can be safely followed without compromising fetal or maternal well-being with an additional benefit of reducing the incidence of transfusion related crises and other complications.