Sharif J, et al. – Transfusion episodes were investigated during sickle pregnancies in a single centre over an 11–year period. In sickle pregnancies assigned to standard management in a single centre, results reported need of on–demand transfusion in a high proportion of women. Lower baseline haemoglobin and number of hospital admissions in the previous 12 months were possible pre–pregnancy factors predictive of a need for transfusion.

Methods

• A retrospective observational study of all pregnancies in patients with sickle cell disease who attended the joint obstetric/haematology clinic over an 11-year period, was performed.
• Based on the local protocol, which did not recommend routine transfusion, all pregnancies were managed.

Results

• This study entailed a total of 38 pregnancies (HbSS 22, HbSC 13, Hb S/beta thalassaemia 3), with a mean age at booking of 29 years.
• During the course of pregnancy or post-partum, 61% of pregnancies required on-demand or emergency transfusion.
• Data depicted a higher mean number of hospital admissions in the previous year (1·11 vs 0·15, P=0·057), a significantly lower mean steady-state haemoglobin (85·0 vs 99·6gL^-1, P=0·003) and a significantly lower mean haemoglobin at the pregnancy booking visit (86·1 vs 99·5gL^-1, P=0·02) in women requiring a transfusion during pregnancy.