[Sickle cell anemia during pregnancy]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 1998 Nov 14;142(46):2530-2.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

A 31-year-old pregnant Creole woman with sickle-cell anaemia went through a crisis of acute cholecystitis at 29 weeks' amenorrhoea. The crisis subsided after cholecystectomy, at which relative reduction of the number of sickle-cells by blood transfusions, adequate oxygenation, fluid, and antibiotic prophylaxis were provided. After 35 weeks' amenorrhoea, a healthy son was delivered by caesarean section. After the delivery, she developed fever and abdominal aches with a wound infection, and 10 days later a generalized epileptic attack. She recovered without sequelae. Pregnancy in a woman with sickle-cell anaemia may induce a sickle-cell crisis. The maternal morbidity and mortality and perinatal mortality are high, in spite of a pronounced decrease due to improved care.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / complications*
  • Cesarean Section / methods
  • Cholecystectomy
  • Cholecystitis / etiology*
  • Cholecystitis / surgery
  • Epilepsy / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic* / therapy
  • Puerperal Disorders / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome