European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background:
Aims: The aim of my study is to evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with Sickle cell anemia and Thalassemia.
Material and methods: The present study was undertaken in Mamata General Hospital with an aim to know the occurrence of sickle cell anemia and thalassemia in antenatal women and to evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcome.
Results: Out of the 30 women considered for the study, 20 had sickle cell disease and 10 had thalassemia. Most common age group was between 21-25years of age in both groups of women with 85% and 50% in each respectively. Mean age is 23±2years. Contracted pelvis was the indication in 17% in SCD. However abnormal color doppler study was the indication in 8% of SCD women and 17% in women with thalassemia. Maternal request and abruption were the indications in 8% each in SCD group. The need for transfusion was seen in about 45% of the SCD women and in 30% of the women with thalassemia. The incidence of Low birth weight of <2.5kg was among the most probable cause for neonatal morbidity in 40% of the neonates born under in each group with SCD and thalassemia.  There was 5% intrauterine fetal death and another 5% of the women had intrauterine growth retarded babies.  In thalassemia the most common fetal complications were neonatal jaundice in 30%, low birth weight in 20% and respiratory distress in 20% respectively.  The perinatal outcome in the 20 neonates born to women with SCD, 80% neonates were alive, intrauterine death was seen in 5% and neonatal deaths were 15%. Whereas in 10 neonates born to thalassemia women 70% of the neonates were alive and 30% neonatal deaths were recorded. Among the study group, the most preferred mode of family planning for the women with SCD in the present study was permanent sterilization in 50%. Next most preferred modality was injectable (DMPA) in 45%, and remaining 5% opted for barrier method of contraception.
Conclusion:   The obstetric outcome in women with Sickle-cell disease showed significant maternal morbidity. However though low in prevalence, the obstetric outcome in the group of women with thalassemia had low incidence of complications when compared to pregnancies with SCD. However both the groups were prone to neonatal morbidity and mortality.